Polymerization of methyl methacrylate catalyzed by nickel complexes with hydroxyindanone-imine ligands

A series of new hydroxyindanone-imine ligands [PhN=CC2H3(CH3)C6H2(CH3)OH] (HL1) and [ArN=CC2H3(CH3)C6H2(R)OH] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3), R = Me (HL2), R = H (HL3), and R = Cl (HL4)) were synthesized and characterized. Reactions of hydroxyindanone-imines with Ni(OAc)(2).4H(2)O result in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indanone-iminato)tri(nickel(II)) complex Ni(3)[PhN=CC2H3(CH3)C6H2(CH3)O](6) (1) and the mononuclear bis(indanone-iminato)nickel(II) complexes Ni[ArN=CC2H3(CH3)C6H2(R)O](2) (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3), R = Me (2), R = H (3), and R = Cl (4)). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra and elemental analyses. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 1 and 2. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can be used as catalysts for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to produce syndiotactic-rich PMMA. Catalytic activities and the degree of syndiotacticity of PMMA have been investigated for various reaction conditions.     

Condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxo palladium complexes with active methyl and methylene compounds

Heating a suspension of the monomeric hydroxo palladium complex of the type [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, Me(2)bipy, phen or tmeda) in methylketone (acetone or methylisobutylketone) under reflux affords the corresponding ketonyl palladium complex [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COR)]. On the other hand, the reaction of the hydroxo palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, phen or tmeda) with diethylmalonate or malononitrile yields the C-bound enolate palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CHX(2))(C(6)F(5))](X = CO(2)Et or CN), and the reaction of [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy or phen) with nitromethane gives the nitromethyl palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CH(2)NO(2))(C(6)F(5))]. [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(OH)] catalyses the cyclotrimerization of malononitrile. The crystal structures of [Pd(bipy)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COMe)].1/2Me(2)CO, [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CO(2)Et)(2)]], [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CN)(2)]] and [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)NO(2))].1/2CH(2)Cl(2) have been established by X-ray diffraction.     

Infrared spectra of CH3-MF and several fragments prepared by methyl fluoride reactions with laser-ablated Cu, Ag, and Au atoms

Reactions of laser-ablated, excited group 11 metal atoms with CH(3)F isotopomers have been carried out, leading to the generation of CH(3)-MF and CH(2)F-M complexes for Cu, Ag, and Au in addition to smaller complexes for gold. The products in the infrared spectra identified on the basis of their frequencies, isotopic shifts, and correlation with DFT calculated frequencies reveal that M-F insertion by the coinage metals and H atom release readily occur. The relatively low dissociation energies of CH(3)-AuF to give several smaller Au complexes are consistent with the observation of these fragments. The C-Au bonds of CF-AuH and CH(2)-AuF exhibit considerable π character, and the methylidene CH(2)-AuF contains a true double bond. In contrast, the bond orders of CH(2)-Au and CH(2)-AuH are lower, indicating that F bonded to Au contracts the gold 5d orbitals for better overlap with the carbon 2p orbital for π bonding.     

Bimetallic-induced tail-to-tail dimerization and C-H activation of methyl acrylate

An organometallic complex resulting from tail-to-tail dimerization and C-H activation of methyl acrylate (MA), [Mo(CO2Cp(eta 3-(MeO2C)CH[symbol: see text]CH[symbol: see text]CHCH2(CO2Me)] 2, has been fully characterized from the reaction of the heterobimetallic complex [Cp*Ni=Mo(mu-CO)(CO)2Cp] with MA and an exclusively eta 3-allyl bonding mode of the coupled ligand was established for the first time by X-ray diffraction; formation of 2 is accompanied by that of the mu 3-alkylidyne-capped cluster [NiMo2(mu 3-CCH2CO2Me)(CO)4Cp*Cp2] 3 which results from a double C-H activation of the CH2 group of MA; none of these reactions occur with the corresponding homodinuclear complexes.     

Infrared spectra of the CH3-MX, CH2=MHX, and CH[triple bond]MH2X- complexes formed by reaction of methyl halides with laser-ablated group 5 metal atoms

Reactions of group 5 metal atoms and methyl halides give carbon-metal single, double, and triple bonded complexes that are identified from matrix IR spectra and vibrational frequencies computed by DFT. Two different pairs of complexes are prepared in reactions of methyl fluoride with laser-ablated vanadium and tantalum atoms. The two vanadium complexes (CH(3)-VF and CH(2)=VHF) are persistently photoreversible and show a kinetic isotope effect on the yield of CD(2)=VDF. Identification of CH(2)=TaHF and CH[triple bond]TaH(2)F(-), along with the similar anionic Nb complex, suggests that the anionic methylidyne complex is a general property of the heavy group 5 metals. Reactions of Nb and Ta with CH(3)Cl and CH(3)Br have also been carried out to understand the ligand effects on the calculated structures and the vibrational characteristics. The methylidene complexes become more distorted with increasing halogen size, while the calculated C=M bond lengths and stretching frequencies decrease and increase, respectively. The anionic methylidyne complexes are less favored with increasing halogen size. Infrared spectra show a dramatic increase of the Ta methylidenes upon annealing, suggesting that the formation of CH(3)-TaX and its conversion to CH(2)=TaHX require essentially no activation energy.     

Electronic structure of iron chlorins: characterization of bis(l-valine methyl ester)(meso-tetraphenylchlorin)iron(III)triflate and bis(l-valine methyl ester)(meso-tetraphenylchlorin)iron(II)

The synthesis and characterization of the two iron chlorin complexes [Fe(III)(TPC)(NH(2)CH(CO(2)CH(3))(CH(CH(3))(2)))(2)]CF(3)SO(3) (1) and Fe(II)(TPC)[(NH(2)CH(CO(2)CH(3))(CH(CH(3))(2))](2) (2) are reported. The crystal structure of complex 1 has been determined. The X-ray structure shows that the porphyrinate rings are weakly distorted. The metal-nitrogen distances to the reduced pyrrole N(4), 2.034(4) A, and to the pyrrole trans to it N(2), 2.012(4) A, are longer than the distances to the two remaining nitrogens [N(1), 1.996(4) A, and N(3), 1.984(4) A], leading to a core-hole expansion of the macrocycle due to the reduced pyrrole. The (1)H NMR isotropic shifts at 20 degrees C of the different pyrrole protons of 1 varied from -0.8 to -48.3 ppm according to bis-ligated complexes of low-spin ferric chlorins. The EPR spectrum of [Fe(TPC)(NH(2)CH(CO(2)CH(3))(CH(CH(3))(2)))(2)]CF(3)SO(3) (1) in solution is rhombic and gives the principal g values g(1) = 2.70, g(2) = 2.33, and g(3) = 1.61 (Sigmag(2) = 15.3). These spectroscopic observations are indicative of a metal-based electron in the d(pi) orbital for the [Fe(TPC)(NH(2)CH(CO(2)CH(3))(CH(CH(3))(2)))(2)]CF(3)SO(3) (1) complex with a (d(xy))(2)(d(xz)d(yz))(3) ground state at any temperature. The X-ray structure of the ferrous complex 2 also shows that the porphyrinate rings are weakly distorted. The metal-nitrogen distances to the reduced pyrrole N(4), 1.991(5) A, and to the pyrrole trans to it N(2), 2.005(6) A, are slightly different from the distances to the two remaining nitrogens [N(1), 1.988(5) A, and N(3), 2.015(5) A], leading to a core-hole expansion of the macrocycle due to the reduced pyrrole.     

Key factors determining the course of methyl iodide oxidative addition to diamidonaphthalene-bridged diiridium(I) and dirhodium(I) complexes

The course of methyl iodide oxidative addition to various nucleophilic complexes, [Ir2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (1), [IrRh(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (2), and [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PR3)2] (R = iPr, 3; Ph, 4; p-tolyl, 5; Me, 6), has been investigated. The CH3I addition to complex 1 readily affords the diiridium(II) complex [Ir2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)I(CH3)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (7), which undergoes slow rearrangement to give a thermodynamically stable stereoisomer, 8. The reaction of the Ir-Rh complex 2 gives the ionic compound [IrRh(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CH3)(CO)2(PiPr3)2]I (10). The dirhodium compounds, 3-5, undergo one-center additions to yield acyl complexes of the formula (Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)I(COCH3)(CO)(PR3)2] (R = iPr, 12; Ph, 13; p-tolyl, 14). The structure of 12 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Further reactions of these Rh(III)-Rh(I) acyl derivatives with CH3I are productive only for the p-tolylphosphine derivative, which affords the bis-acyl complex [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CH3CO)2I2(P(p-tolyl)3)2] (15). The reaction of the PMe3 derivative, 6, allows the isolation of the bis-methyl complex [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(mu-I)(CH3)2(CO)2(PMe3)2]I (16a), which emanates from a double one-center addition. Upon reaction with methyl triflate, the starting materials, 1, 2, 3, and 6, give the isostructural cationic methyl complexes 9, 11, 17, and 18, respectively. The behavior of these cationic methyl compounds toward CH3I, CH3OSO2CF3, and tetrabutylamonium iodide is consistent with the role of these species as intermediates in the SN2 addition of CH3I. Compounds 18 and 17 react with an excess of methyl triflate to give [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(mu-OSO2CF3)(CH3)2(CO)2(PMe3)2][CF3SO3] (19) and [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(OSO2CF3)(COCH3)(CH3)(CO)(PiPr3)2][CF3SO3] (20), respectively. Upon treatment with acetonitrile, complexes 17 and 18 give the isostructural cationic acyl complexes [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(COCH3)(NCCH3)(CO)(PR3)2][CF3SO3] (R = iPr, 21; Me, 22). A kinetic study of the reaction leading to 21 shows that formation of these complexes involves a slow insertion step followed by the fast coordination of the acetonitrile. The variety of reactions found in this system can be rationalized in terms of three alternative reaction pathways, which are determined by the effectiveness of the interactions between the two metal centers of the dinuclear complex and by the steric constraints due to the phosphine ligands.     

Infrared spectra of the CH3-MX and CH2-MHX complexes formed by reactions of laser-ablated group 3 metal atoms with methyl halides

Reactions of laser-ablated group 3 metal atoms with methyl halides have been carried out in excess of Ar during condensation and the matrix infrared spectra studied. The metals are as effective as other early transition metals in providing insertion products (CH3-MX) and higher oxidation state methylidene complexes (CH2-MHX) (X = F, Cl, Br) following alpha-hydrogen migration. Unlike the cases of the group 4-6 metals, the calculated methylidene complex structures show little evidence for agostic distortion, consistent with the previously studied group 3 metal methylidene hydrides, and the C-M bond lengths of the insertion and methylidene complexes are comparable to each other. However, the C-Sc bond lengths are 0.013, 0.025, and 0.029 A shorter for the CH2-ScHX complexes, respectively, and the spin densities are consistent with weak C(2p)-Sc(3d) pi bonding. The present results reconfirm that the number of valence electrons on the metal is important for agostic interaction in simple methylidene complexes.     

Hydrolysis, hydrosulfidolysis, and aminolysis of imido(methyl)rhenium complexes

The tris(imido)methylrhenium complex CH3Re(NAd)3 (1a, Ad = 1-adamantyl) reacts with H2O to give CH3Re(NAd)2O (2a) and AdNH2. The resulting di(imido)oxo species can further react with another molecule of H2O to generate CH3Re(NAd)O2 (3a). The kinetics of these reactions have been studied by means of 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies. The second-order rate constant for the reaction of 1a with H2O at 298 K in C6H6 is 3.3 L mol-1 s-1, which is much larger than the value 1 x 10(-4) L mol-1 s-1 obtained for the reaction between CH3Re(NAr)3 (1b, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) and H2O in CH3CN at 313 K. Both 1a and 1b react with H2S to produce the rhenium(VII) sulfide, (CH3Re(NR)2)2(mu-S)2 (4a, R = Ad; 4b, R = Ar), with second-order rate constants of 17 and 1.6 x 10(-4) L mol-1 s-1 in C6H6 and CH3CN, respectively. Complex 4b has been structurally characterized. The crystal data are as follows: space group C2/c, a = 30.4831 (19) A, b = 10.9766 (7) A, c = 18.1645 (11) A, beta = 108.268(1) degrees, V = 5771.5 (6) A3, Z = 4. The reaction between CH3Re(NAr)2O (2b) and H2S also yields the dinuclear compound 4b. Unlike 1b, 1a reacts with aniline derivatives to give mixed imido rhenium complexes.     

二氢新茉莉酮酸甲酯和二氢茉莉铜酸甲酯的合成

本文报道了二氢茉莉酮酸甲酯(1)和二氢新茉莉酮酸甲酯(2)的新合成路线,以丙二酸二乙酯为原料,依次与溴代戊烷和烯丙基溴进行烷基化反应,得到α-戊基-α-烯丙基-丙二酸二乙酯(5),5经过水解、脱羧得到γ-烯酸3.酰氯化合物6进行Friendel-Crafts反应得到2-戊基-环戊-4-烯-1-酮(7),7通过Michael加成、水解、脱羧和酯化,得到2,总产率为24.4%.7可以异构化为2-戊基-环戊-2-烯-1-酮(9),9用通常的方法合成了1.1和2可以明显地从核磁共振谱、红外光谱和气相色谱识别。     

Lanthanide mono(borohydride) complexes of diamide-diamine donor ligands: novel single site catalysts for the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate

Samarium chloride and borohydride complexes of the diamide-diamine ligands (2-C5H4N)CH2N(CH2CH2NR)2(R = SiMe3 or mesityl) are described; the borohydride compounds are the first polydentate amide-supported single component lanthanide catalysts for the controlled polymerisation of polar monomers, and also represent the first lanthanide borohydride complex for the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate.     

Ion-molecule reactions involving methyl isocyanide and methyl cyanide

Ion-molecule reactions involving methyl isocyanide and methyl cyanide have been performed in a new rf-only hexapole collision cell inserted in a large-scale tandem mass spectrometer. Beside protonation processes, N-methyl cyanogen ions (CH(3)N(+)CCN) and 1-methyleneiminium-1- ethylenium ions (CH(2)CN(+)CH(2)) have been produced in high yield and fully characterized by high-energy collisional activation. The unimolecular chemistry of the molecular ions of caffeine (1,3,7-trimethyl xanthine) has been revisited on the basis of these new results.     

Ab initio reaction kinetics of hydrogen abstraction from methyl formate by hydrogen, methyl, oxygen, hydroxyl, and hydroperoxy radicals

Combustion of renewable biofuels, including energy-dense biodiesel, is expected to contribute significantly toward meeting future energy demands in the transportation sector. Elucidating detailed reaction mechanisms will be crucial to understanding biodiesel combustion, and hydrogen abstraction reactions are expected to dominate biodiesel combustion during ignition. In this work, we investigate hydrogen abstraction by the radicals H·, CH(3)·, O·, HO(2)·, and OH· from methyl formate, the simplest surrogate for complex biodiesels. We evaluate the H abstraction barrier heights and reaction enthalpies, using multireference correlated wave function methods including size-extensivity corrections and extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. The barrier heights predicted for abstraction by H·, CH(3)·, and O· are in excellent agreement with derived experimental values, with errors ≤1 kcal/mol. We also predict the reaction energetics for forming reactant complexes, transition states, and product complexes for reactions involving HO(2)· and OH·. High-pressure-limit rate constants are computed using transition state theory within the separable-hindered-rotor approximation for torsions and the harmonic oscillator approximation for other vibrational modes. The predicted rate constants differ significantly from those appearing in the latest combustion kinetics models of these reactions.     

Formation of CH3TiX, CH2=TiHX, and (CH3)2TiX2 by reaction of methyl chloride and bromide with laser-ablated titanium atoms: photoreversible alpha-hydrogen migration

The simple methylidene (CH2=TiHX) and Grignard-type (CH3TiX) complexes are produced by reaction of methyl chloride and bromide with laser-ablated Ti atoms and isolated in a solid Ar matrix, and they form a persistent photoreversible system via alpha-hydrogen migration between the carbon and titanium atoms. The Grignard-type product is transformed to the methylidene complex upon UV (240 nm < lambda < 380 nm) irradiation and vice versa with visible (lambda > 530 nm) irradiation. More stable dimethyl dihalide complexes [(CH3)2TiX2] are also identified, whose relative concentration increases upon annealing and at high methyl halide concentration. The reaction products are identified with three different groups of absorptions on the basis of the behaviors upon broadband photolysis and annealing, and the vibrational characteristics are in a good agreement with DFT computation results.     

pi-Bonding in complexes of benzannulated biscarbenes, -germylenes, and -stannylenes: an experimental and theoretical study

Benzannulated bisstannylenes, exhibiting a CH(2)C(CH(3))(2)CH(2) linking unit and CH(2)tBu (1) or CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2) (2) N-substituents, and their molybdenum tetacarbonyl complexes 3 and 4 have been prepared. The complexes 3 and 4 exhibit remarkably short Mo-E bond lengths compared to the related biscarbene and bisgermylene complexes. The experimentally determined bonding parameters of the molybdenum bisstannylene complexes are discussed based on DFT calculations.     

First row divalent transition metal complexes of aryl-appended tris((pyridyl)methyl)amine ligands: syntheses, structures, electrochemistry, and hydroxamate binding properties

Divalent manganese, cobalt, nickel, and zinc complexes of 6-Ph(2)TPA (N,N-bis((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine; [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Mn(CH(3)OH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Co(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (2), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(CH(3)OH)](ClO(4))(2) (3), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Zn(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (4)) and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA (N,N-bis((6-(3,5-dimethyl)phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine; [(6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (5) and [(6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA)Zn(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (6)) have been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic characterization of 1A.CH(3)()OH and 1B.2CH(3)()OH (differing solvates of 1), 2.2CH(3)()CN, 3.CH(3)()OH, 4.2CH(3)()CN, and 6.2.5CH(3)()CN revealed mononuclear cations with one to three coordinated solvent molecules. In 1A.CH(3)()OH and 1B.2CH(3)()OH, one phenyl-substituted pyridyl arm is not coordinated and forms a secondary hydrogen-bonding interaction with a manganese bound methanol molecule. In 2.2CH(3)()CN, 3.CH(3)()OH, 4.2CH(3)()CN, and 6.2.5CH(3)()CN, all pyridyl donors of the 6-Ph(2)TPA and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA ligands are coordinated to the divalent metal center. In the cobalt, nickel, and zinc derivatives, CH/pi interactions are found between a bound acetonitrile molecule and the aryl appendages of the 6-Ph(2)TPA and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA ligands. (1)H NMR spectra of 4 and 6 in CD(3)NO(2) solution indicate the presence of CH/pi interactions, as an upfield-shifted methyl resonance for a bound acetonitrile molecule is present. Examination of the cyclic voltammetry of 1-3 and 5 revealed no oxidative (M(II)/M(III)) couples. Admixture of equimolar amounts of 6-Ph(2)TPA, M(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O, and Me(4)NOH.5H(2)O, followed by the addition of an equimolar amount of acetohydroxamic acid, yielded the acetohydroxamate complexes [((6-Ph(2)TPA)Mn)(2)(micro-ONHC(O)CH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2) (8), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Co(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (9), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (10), and [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Zn(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (11), all of which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Mn(II) complex 8.0.75CH(3)()CN.0.75Et(2)()O exhibits a dinuclear structure with bridging hydroxamate ligands, whereas the Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) derivatives all exhibit mononuclear six-coordinate structures with a chelating hydroxamate ligand.     

CH3--MoF], [CH2=MoHF], and [CH[triple bond]MoH2F] formed by reaction of laser-ablated molybdenum atoms with methyl fluoride: persistent photoreversible interconversion through alpha-hydrogen migration and agostic interaction

Simple molybdenum methyl, carbene, and carbyne complexes, [CH3--MoF], [CH2=MoHF], and [CH[triple chemical bond]MoH(2)F], were formed by the reaction of laser-ablated molybdenum atoms with methyl fluoride and isolated in an argon matrix. These molecules provide a persistent photoreversible system through alpha-hydrogen migration between the carbon and metal atoms: The methyl and carbene complexes are produced by applying UV irradiation (240-380 nm) while the carbyne complex is depleted, and the process reverses on irradiation with visible light (lambda>420 nm). An absorption at 589.3 cm(-1) is attributed to the Mo--F stretching mode of [CH3--MoF], which is in fact the most stable of the plausible products. Density functional theory calculations show that one of the alpha-hydrogen atoms of the carbene complex is considerably bent toward the metal atom (angle-spherical HCMo=84.5 degrees ), which provides evidence of a strong agostic interaction in the triplet ground state. The calculated C[triple chemical bond]Mo bond length in the carbyne is in the range of triple-bond values in methylidyne complexes.     

Synthesis and vibrational circular dichroism of enantiopure chiral oxorhenium(V) complexes containing the hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate ligand

The infrared and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of six chiral oxorhenium(V) complexes, bearing a hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) ligand, have been investigated. These complexes are promising candidates for observation of parity violation (symmetry breaking due to the weak nuclear force). New chiral oxorhenium complexes have been synthesized, namely, [TpReO(eta2-O(CH3)CH2CH2O-O,O)] (4a and 4b) diastereomers and [TpReO(eta2-N(CH3)CH2CH2O-N,O)] (5) and [TpReO(eta2-N(tBu)CH2CH2O-N,O)] (6) enantiomers. All compounds could be obtained in enantiomerically pure form by using either column chromatography or HPLC over chiral columns. VCD spectroscopy of these compounds and of [TpReO(eta2-N(CH3)CH(CH3)CH(Ph)O-N,O)] (2) and [TpReO(eta2-N(CH2)3CHCO2-N,O)] (3) (with chiral bidentate ligands derived, respectively, from ephedrine and proline) were studied. This allowed the absolute configuration determination of all compounds together with their conformational analysis, by comparing calculated and experimental spectra. This is the first VCD study of rhenium complexes which further demonstrates the applicability of VCD spectroscopy in determining the chirality of inorganic complexes.     

Degradation mechanism of methyl mercury selenoamino acid complexes: a computational study

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out on the possible degradation/demethylation mechanism of methyl mercury (CH(3)Hg(+)) complexes with free cysteine and seleonocysteine. The binding of CH(3)Hg(+) ions with one (seleno)amino acid is thermodynamically favorable. However, the binding with another acid molecule is a highly unfavorable process. The CH(3)Hg-(seleno)cysteinate then degrades to bis(methylmercuric)sulphide (selenide for the Se-containing complex) which in turn forms dimethyl mercury and HgS/HgSe, the latter being precipitated out as nanoparticles. The dimethyl mercury interacts with water molecules and regenerates the CH(3)HgOH precursor. The calculated free energies of formation confirm the thermodynamic feasibility of every intermediate step of the degradation cycle and fully support earlier experimental results. In completing the cycle, one unit of mercury precipitates out from two units of sources, and thereby Se antagonizes the Hg toxicity. The degradation of CH(3)Hg-L-cysteinate is thermodynamically more favorable than the formation of CH(3)Hg-L-cysteinate. The preferred degradation of the CH(3)Hg-L-cysteinate suggests that another mechanism for CH(3)Hg to cross the blood-brain barrier should exist.     

Experimental and computational studies of intracomplex reactions in Mg+(primary, secondary alkylamine) complexes induced by photoexcitation of Mg+

We report herein a comprehensive study of photoinduced reactions in complexes of Mg+ with primary (n-propyl- and isopropylamine) and secondary amines (dipropyl- and diisopropylamine) in the spectral range of 230-440 nm. Similar to the methyl- and ethylamine complexes studied previously, N-H bond activation of these complexes is very unfavorable. Instead, the C(alpha)-C, C-N, and C(alpha)-H bond-cleavage photoproducts are observed after photoexcitation of the Mg+ complexes (3(2)P<--3(2)S). For Mg+(primary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH2CH2CH2CH3, and Mg+-NH2CH(CH3)2, the photoproducts resulting from C(alpha)--C rupture prevail after P(z) and charge-transfer excitations, whereas the Mg+ photofragment is predominant upon P(x,y) excitation. However, with further N-alkyl substitution, as in Mg+(secondary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH(CH2CH2CH3)2 and Mg+-NH[CH(CH3)2]2, a novel intracomplex C-C coupling photoreaction dominates on P(x,y) excitation of Mg+, which is believed to arise from Mg+* insertion into the C-N bond. With P(z) and charge-transfer excitation, the Mg-R elimination photoproducts, arising from C(alpha)-C bond cleavage, predominate. The energetics and possible mechanisms of the intracomplex photoreactions are analyzed in detail with the help of extensive quantum mechanics calculations.