Reaction mechanism of the reductive elimination in the catalytic carbonylation of methanol. A density functional study

Reductive elimination, the final step of the Monsanto and Cativa processes, has been studied using the density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP exchange and correlation functional. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic computational study of the reductive elimination for which even the experimental studies are rare. We have studied different isomers of the anionic dicarbonyls [Rh(CO)₂(COCH₃)I₃]⁻ (1) and [Ir(CO)₂(COCH₃)I₃]⁻ (2). Several possible reaction routes for the elimination of CH₃COI from 1 and 2 have been explored. In addition, different isomers of the neutral tricarbonyl [Ir(CO)₃(COCH₃)I₂] (3) and possible reaction paths connected to 3 have been studied. Our results show mer,trans-1 to be the dominant intermediate in the rhodium system although its transformation to fac,cis-1 and the elimination from this seems to be the most likely reaction pathway. In the anionic iridium system, the dominating intermediate is proposed to be fac,cis-2. In the neutral iridium system, mer,cis-3 is proposed to be the dominant intermediate. While inspecting the iridium system as a whole, one could propose a transformation from anionic dicarbonyl to neutral tricarbonyl that would enhance the total rate of the reductive elimination. This observation is similar to that already verified in the 1,1-insertion in the Cativa process. In general, the geometrical arrangement of the different ligands has a large effect on the catalytic activity of the different possible intermediates of these processes.     

Molecular geometry and electronic structures of stable organic derivatives of divalent germanium and tin [(\operatorname{Me} _3 \operatorname{Si} )_2 \operatorname{N} {\kern 1pt} ---{\kern 1pt} Me_2 ]_n (M = Ge, n = 1; M = Sn, n = 2): a theoretical study

The molecular geometry and electronic structure of stable organic derivatives of divalent germanium and tin, [(Me₃Si)₂N-M-OCH₂CH₂NMe₂]_n (M = Ge (4), n = 1; M = Sn (5), n =2) and their isomers with broken (4a, 5a) and closed (4b, 5b) intramolecular coordination bonds M←NMe₂, were studied by the density functional (PBE/TZ2P/SBK-JC) and NBO methods. Factors responsible for stability of their dimers 4c and 5c were established. Dimerization of 5b in the gas phase is a thermodynamically favorable process (ΔG ⁰ = ?2.1 kcal mol^?1) while that of 4b is thermally forbidden (ΔG ⁰ = 10.1 kcal mol^?1), which is consistent with experimental data. The M←NMe₂ coordination bond energies, ΔE ⁰, were found to be ?5.3 and ?8.6 kcal mol^?1 for M = Ge and Sn, respectively. NBO analysis showed that the metal atoms M in molecules 4 and 5 are weakly hybridized. The lone electron pairs of the M atoms have strong s-character while vacant orbitals of these atoms, LP* M, are represented exclusively by the metal np_z-AOs. The strongest orbital interactions between subunits in dimers 4c and 5c involve electron density donation from the lone electron pairs of oxygen atoms (LP O) to the LP* M orbitals.     

Synthesis,conformational preferences in gas and solution,and molecular gear rotation in 1-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane by gas phase electron diffraction (GED), LT NMR and theoretical calculations

1-(Dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), low temperature ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. The predominance of the 1-Ph_ax conformer (1-Ph_eq:1-Ph_ax ratio of 20:80%, ΔG°(317?K)?=??0.87?kcal/mol) in the gas phase is close to the theoretically estimated conformational equilibrium. In solution, low temperature NMR spectroscopy showed analyzable decoalescence of C_ipso and C(1,5) carbon signals in ¹³C NMR spectra at 103?K. Opposite to the gas state in the freon solution employed (CD₂Cl₂/CHFCl₂/CHFCl₂?=?1:1:3), which is still liquid at 100?K, the 1-Ph_eq conformer was found to be the preferred one [(1-Ph_eq: 1-Ph_ax?=?77%: 23%, K?=?77/23?=?2.8; ?ΔG°?=??RT ln K (at 103?K)?=?0.44?±?0.1?kcal/mol]. When comparing 1 with 1-phenyl-1-(X)silacylohexanes (X?=?H, Me, OMe, F, Cl), studied so far, the trend of predominance of the Ph_ax conformer in the gas phase and of the Ph_eq conformer in solution is confirmed.     

1-Methylthio-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane: Synthesis,conformational preferences in gas and solution by GED,NMR and theoretical calculations

1-Methylthio-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane 1, the first silacyclohexane with the sulfur atom at silicon, was synthesized and its molecular structure and conformational preferences studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and low temperature ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy (LT NMR). Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out both for the isolated species and solvate complexes in gas and in polar medium. The predominance of the 1-MeS_axPh_eq conformer in gas phase (1-Ph_eq:1-Ph_ax = 55:45, ΔG° = 0.13 kcal/mol) determined from GED is consistent with that measured in the freon solution by LT NMR (1-Ph_eq:1-Ph_ax = 65:35, ΔG° = 0.12 kcal/mol), the experimentally measured ratios being close to that estimated by quantum chemical calculations at both the DFT and MP2 levels of theory.     

1,n′-Disubstituted ferrocenoyl amino acids and dipeptides: Conformational analysis by CD spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations

An experimental and computational study on the conformational preference of 1,n′-disubstituted ferrocenoyl amino acids and dipeptides is presented. Only l-amino acids were used for the synthesis of Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Met-Met-OMe]₂ (4), but according to the X-ray structure a 4:1 mixture of l,d,M,d,l and l,d,M,l,l isomers is obtained (l describes amino acid chirality and M the helical chirality of the ferrocene core). This result is in agreement with IR and CD solution phase data and can be explained with a racemization by 1 M NaOH during the synthesis. In order to determine the relative stabilities of the different conformations, DFT calculations on model compounds Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Gly-NH₂]₂ (5) and Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Ala-OMe]₂ (6) were performed using the B3LYP/LanL2DZ method with ECPs on the heavy atoms. Conformers 5A-5C with different hydrogen bond patterns have significantly different stabilities with a stabilization by about 30 kJ mol⁻¹ per hydrogen bond. The “Herrick conformation” 5A with two hydrogen bonds is the most stable in the gas phase, in accordance with the solution and solid phase data. In contrast, only small energetic differences (less than 10 kJ mol⁻¹) were calculated for conformers l,P,l-6A, l,P,d-6A and d,P,d-6A, which differ only in amino acid chirality.     

Conformational effects in compounds with 6-membered rings—XII : The conformational equilibrium in n-methylpiperidine

The conformational equilibrium at nitrogen in N-methylpiperidines has been determined in the gas phase (ΔG°₂₈₈ ? 13.2 ± 0.4 kJ mol^?1) and for dilute solutions in several solvents (ΔG°₂₉₃ ranging from 12.5 ± 0.4 in dodecane to 10.1 ± 0.4 in chloroform) by kinetically controlled protonation of anancomeric model compounds 6 and 8 at the interface between the pipendine-containing phase and an immiscible strong acid. The conformational energy for N-methylpiperidine determined by this method is strikingly higher than earlier estimates based on less direct methods but is supported by independent evidence from the temperature dependence of ¹³C NMR chemical shifts. Reconsideration of the more important of the earlier methods indicates that these involved invalid or unproven assumptions and that the low values of ΔG° for N-methylpiperidine derived from them are not reliable.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with molecular oxygen catalysed by K[RuIII(EDTA-H)Cl] complex in water-dioxan medium

Oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (Me₂S) with molecular oxygen catalysed by [Ru^III(EDTA)(H₂O)]⁻1a (EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetate anion) was studied spectrophotometrically in water-dioxan medium at constant pH 5.0 (acetic acid-acetate buffer) and ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). The reaction proceeds through the formation of a [Ru^III(EDTA)(Me₂S)]⁻2 intermediate which undergoes oxidation with molecular oxygen to give dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO) as the oxidation product. The rate of formation of 2 and its decomposition was followed spectrophotometrically by monitoring the reactions at 528 nm the characteristic peak of 2. The rate of formation of 2 was found to be first order in the concentrations of 1a and Me₂S. The rate of decomposition of 2 is independent of the concentration of Me₂S and is half-order with respect to oxygen concentration. Both the formation and decomposition reactions of 2 were studied at different temperatures, and the activation parameters ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ were determined. A suitable mechanism was proposed for the catalytic oxidation of dimethyl sulfide to dimethyl sulfoxide with molecular oxygen.     

N,N-dimethyl-selenobenzamide: two solid phases and low-temperature phase change

Two polymorphs (I: mp 49.0–50.0°C; II: mp 80.0–82.0°C) of N,N-dimethyl-selenobenzamide, (CH₃)₂NC(Se)Ph, have been observed. Both I and II can be prepared separately using the same reaction under different conditions. The phase change from phase I to phase II occurs at low temperatures and this has been confirmed by solid state NMR (¹³C), powder X-ray, and single-crystal structural studies. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that the lower melting point form (phase I) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with two conformations in the unit cell, while the higher melting point form (phase II) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with one conformation in the unit cell. Theoretical calculations on model clusters using the Universal Forcefield (UFF) show that the total energy of phase I (triclinic form) is 5.9 kcal per mol molecule higher than that of phase II (monoclinic form). Also, the immersion energy which is due to non-bonding interactions, namely Van der Waals and Coulombic (electrostatic) terms, has been calculated using UFF. The Van der Waals terms were very similar in the two crystalline forms (triclinic: −43.1 kcal mol⁻¹; monoclinic: −44.8 kcal mol⁻¹), but the Coulombic terms were significantly different (triclinic: −14.0 kcal mol⁻¹; monoclinic: −31.5 kcal mol⁻¹) and favor the monoclinic form. The triclinic form (phase I) is a kinetically favored metastable phase and upon cooling it changes to the monoclinic form (phase II), a thermodynamically stable phase.     

A reversible solid–solid phase transition Z′ = 1 to Z′ = 6 in [Ni(OAc)(PNP)]OTf

At ambient temperature, the complex [Ni(OAc)(PNP^tBu)]OTf has one independent molecule in the asymmetric unit of the crystal structure with very large anisotropic displacement parameters. During cooling a fully reversible solid–solid phase transition occurs at a discrete temperature in the range 210–230 K. The low-temperature phase has six independent, well ordered molecules in the asymmetric unit. The P2₁/a space group symmetry of the high-temperature phase changes to P2₁/n for the low-temperature phase and the c-axis increases by a factor of six. The acetate ligand is shown to be coordinated in a η¹-fashion through one of the oxygen atoms, with the sterically encumbered, tridentate PNP^tBu ligand completing the square planar geometry around the Ni^II ion. The synthesis and full characterization of the complex is reported.     

Theoretical studies on formal hetero [3+3] cycloaddition reaction between vinylogous amide and α,β-unsaturated imine cation

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-31G** level have been carried out to study the mechanism of title reaction. The whole picture for the possible mechanism has been explored and verified both in gas phase and C₆H₅CH₃ solvent. The calculated results show that this reaction proceeds via the following several steps: (1) addition of two reactant molecules; (2) removing of H⁺ and succedent elimination of NH₃ from intermediates; (3) isomerization and final cyclization of intermediates, in which the elimination step of NH₃ is the rate-controlling one in the whole reaction process. The final product has two competitive parallel paths, in which the 6π-electron electrocyclic ring closure is not reversible.     

Experimental and theoretical characterization of Ru(II) complexes with polypyridine and phosphine ligands

The synthesis and the experimental and theoretical characterization of ruthenium hydride complexes containing phosphorus and polypyridine ligands [RuH(CO)(N-N)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ with N-N = dppz 1, dppz-CH₃2 (2.1 isomer), dppz-Cl 3 (3.1 isomer), ppl 4, and 2,2′-biquinoline 5, (where dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), are presented. ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR-FT, UV-Vis and elemental analysis are used to characterize the complexes. Optimized molecular geometries in the gas phase at the B3LYP/LACVP(d,p) level showed a distorted octahedral structure for ruthenium, the phosphine ligands are localized in a trans position, while the polypyridine ligand, which in all the cases is planar except in 5, adopt a trans position relative to the carbon monoxide and hydride ligands. The theoretical absorption spectra (one hundred excited states) were calculated for the seven complexes by the time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) in the gas phase. They predicted very well the UV-Vis spectra. It was possible to identify the character of each electronic transition and the fragments of the complexes involved in it. Theoretical evidence of the substituent effect in the polypyridine ligand and of the ligand effect (dppz, biq, ppl) was found, displayed mainly in the longer wavelength band. The theoretical results showed that the properties of these complexes can be tuned with changes localized in the polypyridine ligand covalently bonded to ruthenium.     

Exchange bias in Ni4 single-molecule magnets

The syntheses and physical properties are reported for three single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with the composition [Ni(hmp)(ROH)Cl]₄, where R is CH₃ (complex 1), CH₂CH₃ (complex 2) or CH₂CH₂C(CH₃)₃ (complex 3) and hmp⁻ is the monoanion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine. The core of each complex is a distorted cube formed by four Ni^II ions and four alkoxide hmp⁻ oxygen atoms at alternating corners. Ferromagnetic exchange interactions give a S=4 ground state. Single crystal high-frequency EPR spectra clearly indicate that each of the complexes has a S=4 ground state and that there is negative magnetoanisotropy, where D is negative for the axial zero-field splitting DŜ_z². Magnetization versus magnetic field measurements made on single crystals with a micro-SQUID magnetometer indicate these Ni₄ complexes are SMMs. Exchange bias is seen in the magnetization hysteresis loops for complexes 1 and 2.     

Cytochalasins D1 and C1, unique cytochalasans from endophytic fungus Xylaria cf. curta

Cytochalasins D1 (1) and C1 (2) were isolated from the liquid fermentation of fungus Xylaria cf. curta. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive experimental spectroscopic methods as well as ECD and GIAO ¹³C NMR calculation. They possess a unique eleven-membered macrocycle with an oxygen bridge. Cytochalasins D1 and C1 showed moderate cytotoxicity against human leukemia cell lines HL-60 with IC₅₀ value of 12.7 and 22.3 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis of 3-fluoro-3-methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran and its conformational preferences in gas and solution by GED,NMR and theoretical calculations

The 3,3-disubstitued 3-silaheterocyclohexane with an electronegative substituent at silicon, 3-fluoro-3-methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and low temperature ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out both for the isolated species and H-complexes in gas and in polar medium. The predominance of the 1-F_eqMe_ax conformer (1-F_eq:1-F_ax ratio of 65:35, ΔG°?=?0.37?kcal/mol) determined from GED is close to the theoretically estimated conformational equilibrium, especially at the DFT level. In solution, low temperature NMR spectroscopy showed no decoalescence of the signals in ¹³C (down to 95?K) and ¹⁹F NMR spectra (down to 123?K). However, the calculated ¹⁹F chemical shift of ?173.6?ppm for the 1-F_eqMe_ax conformer practically coincides with the experimentally observed value (?173 to ?175?ppm) as distinct from that for the 1-F_axMe_eq conformer (?188.8?ppm), suggesting compound 1 to be anancomeric in solution, in compliance with its theoretical and experimental preference in the gas phase.     

Three novel dipicolinate complexes with the pyridine-2,6-dimethanol – A combined structural,spectroscopic, antimicrobial and computational study

Three new dipicolinate complexes, [M(dmp)(dpc)]·H₂O [M = Co(II) (1); Zn(II) (2); Ni(II) (3); dmp: pyridine-2,6-dimethanol; dpc: dipicolinate or pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate], were synthesized and combined with experimental and theoretical study on molecular, vibrational and electronical properties. The central M(II) ion in all complexes is bonded to dpc and dmp ligands through pyridine nitrogen atom together with two oxygen atom, forming the distorted octahedral geometry. The complex molecules, connected via O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds, form a supramolecular structure. The complexes were also screened for antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Among the tested microorganisms, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most sensitive strain, especially to H₂dpc and its complexes. The EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ doped polycrystalline complexes indicate that the paramagnetic center has a rhombic symmetry. Although the supramolecular interactions have some influences on the molecular geometry in solid state phase, calculated data show that the predicted geometries can reproduce the structural parameters. The electronic station in the frontier orbitals of the dipicolinate complexes calculated from the experimental data is compared to the results of time-depended DFT calculations with the polarizable continuum model and UV–Vis spectrum of the complexes has been discussed on this basis. Calculated vibrational frequencies using the DFT and HF method are consistent with the experimental IR data.     

Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Electron ionization induced metastable decompositions of isomeric trimethylsilylmethanol, (CH3)3SiCH2OH, and methoxytrimethylsilane, (CH3)3SiOCH3

The metastable decompositions of trimethylsilylmethanol, (CH₃)₃SiCH₂OH (MW: 104, 1) and methoxytrimethylsilane, (CH₃)₃SiOCH₃ (MW: 104, 2) upon electron ionization have been investigated by use of mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectroscopy and D labeling. The metastable ions of 1 ^·+ decompose to give the fragment ions m/z 89 (CH ₃ ^· loss) and 73 (^·CH₂OH loss), whereas those of 2 ^·+ only yield the fragment ion m/z 89 (CH ₃ ^· loss). The latter fragment ion is generated by loss of a methyl radical from the trimethylsilyl group via a simple cleavage reaction as shown by D labeling. However, the fragment ions m/z 89 and 73 from 1 ^·+ are generated following an almost statistical exchange of the original methyl and methylene hydrogen atoms in the molecular ion as shown also by D labeling. This exchange indicates a complex rearrangement of the molecular ion of 1 ^·+ prior to metastable decomposition for which as key step a 1,2-trimethylsilyl group migration from carbon to oxygen is suggested. A different behavior is also found between the source-generated m/z 89 ions from 1 ^·+ which decompose in the metastable time region to give ions m/z 61 by loss of ethylene and those from 2 ^·+ which decompose in the metastable region to yield ions m/z 59 by elimination of formaldehyde.     

Übergangsmetall-Carbin-Komplexe: CI. Gezielter Aufbau eines Diethylaminocarbin-Liganden am Wolfram aus Ethylisocyanid-Vorstufen

An effective route to the W⁰-diethylaminocarbyne complex Cp(CO)(EtNC)WCNEt₂ (5) (Cp = η⁵C₅H₅) is reported starting from the easily accessible, isomeric mixture of the W^II-isocyanide compounds cis- and trans-CpW(CO)₂(EtNC)I (1a, 1b). Thus oxidative decarbonylation of 1a/1b with one equivalent of I₂ results in the quantitative formation of the W^IV complex CpW(CO)(EtNC)(I)₃ (2). Subsequent reductive elimination of two iodide ligands in 2 with Na/Hg leads in the presence of EtNC to an isomeric mixture of the W^II-compounds cis- and trans-CpW(CO)(EtNC)₂I (3a, 3b), the formal carbonyl substitution products of 1a and 1b, in high yield, Further reduction of 3a/3b is achieved with Na powder and yields the electron-rich W⁰-metallate Na[CpW(CO)EtNC)₂] (4) in quantitative yield. Finally ethylation of 4 with Et₃OBF4 occurs exclusively at the isocyanide-nitrogen and affords the desired complex 5.     

Vibrational spectra and structure of methoxysilanes and products of their hydrolysis

Equilibrium geometries and force fields for the series of molecules (MeO)_nSiMe_4−n(I), (OH)_nSiMe_4−n(II), and (MeO)_nSi(OH)_4−n(III) with n = 1–4 are obtained at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory with 6-31G^* and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets in order to predict the structural parameters and vibrational spectra of these molecules, the larger part of which was not characterized experimentally. The performance of these theoretical methods was assessed on the existing spectral data for series I. The B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ method, firstly applied to this class of molecules, demonstrates a fair agreement with experimental vibrational frequencies even without empirical scaling. For molecules of series II and III vibrational spectra are predicted in order to supply spectral data for monitoring the sol–gel processes at the hydrolysis stage. The hyperconjugative strengthening of SiO bonds with the number of oxygen atoms coordinated to silicon leads to the growth of their frequencies, but the larger increase of νSiO (due to kinematic factors) occurs at the SiOMe/SiOH substitution. The predicted distinctive feature of series II and III is the appearance of bands with high IR intensity in the 1000–900 cm⁻¹ spectral region that increase their frequencies with n. In series III it is accompanied with the steady increase of the ν_sSiO₄ frequency in the 700–600 cm⁻¹ range.     

The steric course of proton elimination in conversion of a tricarbonylcyclohexadieneiron carbinol into an endocyclic cation

Tricarbonyl-1-carbomethoxy-5α²H-cyclohexadieneiron (3) reacts with MeLi to tricarbonyl-1(1¹ -hydroxy-1¹ -methyl-ethyl)-5α²H-cyclohexadiene- iron (1) which yields with acid the salt tricarbonyl-1(1¹ -methyl-ethyl)-5₂H- cyclohexadienyliron(+)-PF₆ (?) (4). Retention of ²H demonstrates the stereochemistry of the elimination of the ring proton as β-(endo).