Isolation and structural elucidation of a key aluminoaromatic intermediate and evidence for dismutation phenomena in TMP-alumination chemistry

Lithium TMP-aluminate "(i)Bu(3)Al(TMP)Li" undergoes dismutation in THF solution to precipitate the tetraalkylaluminate [{Li.(THF)(4)}(+){Al((i)Bu)(4)}(-)], but reacts kinetically as a TMP base towards N,N-diisopropylbenzamide to afford the crystalline ortho-aluminated species [(THF)(3).Li{O([=C)N((i)Pr)(2)(C(6)H(4))}Al((i)Bu)(3)] and TMPH.     

Use of calix[4]arenes in the redox chemistry of lanthanides: the reduction of dinitrogen by a calix[4]arene-samarium complex

The synthesis and structural characterization of a samarium-dinitrogen complex supported by a calix[4]arene ligand in which the N-N bond distance has been stretched to 1.611(16) Angstrom are described. The central mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-hydrazido tetraanion formed is bonded to three Sm(III) centers with an overall butterfly-type arrangement.     

Substituent effects in the hydrosilylation of coordinated dinitrogen in a ditantalum complex: cleavage and functionalization of N2

The dinitrogen complex ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N2)(mu-H)2, 1, (where [NPN] = (PhNSiMe2CH2)2PPh) undergoes hydrosilylation with primary and secondary alkyl- and arylsilanes, giving a new N-Si bond and a new terminal tantalum hydride derived from one Si-H unit. Various primary silanes can be employed to give isolable complexes of the general formula ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N-N-SiH(n)R(3-n))(mu-H)2(Ta[NPN]) (5, R=Bu, n = 2; 9, R=Ph, n = 2). Analogous complexes featuring secondary silanes are not isolable, because these products, and 5 and 9, are uniformly unstable toward reductive elimination of bridging hydrides as H2, followed by cleavage of the N-N bond to give ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N)(mu-N-SiH(n)R(3-n))(Ta[NPN]) (6, R=Bu, n = 2; 10, R=Ph, n = 2; 15, R=Ph, n = 1; 16, R=Ph and Me, n = 1). The bridging nitrido ligand in these complexes is itself a substrate for a second hydrosilylation when n = 2, and schemes leading to Ta(IV) complexes of the general formula ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-N-SiH2R)(mu-N-SiH2R') via elimination of H2 are reported (4, R=R'=Bu; 12, R=Bu, R' = Ph; 13, R=Bu, R' = CH2CH2SiH3). At this point, the general reaction manifold for these compounds ramifies, with distinct outcomes occurring for different R groups-[NPN] ligand amide migration from Ta to RSi affords 11, whereas stable complex 6 rearranges to give 7, in the presence of excess silane. Ethanediylbissilane reacts with 1 to give 14, isostructural to 7.     

Hydrosilylation of a dinuclear tantalum dinitrogen complex: cleavage of N2 and functionalization of both nitrogen atoms

Hydrosilylation of the ditantalum dinitrogen complex ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N2) proceeds via an addition reaction to produce ([NPN]TaH)(mu-H)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N-NSiH2Bu)(Ta[NPN]), which contains a new N-Si bond and a terminal tantalum hydride; this species has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This complex undergoes reductive elimination of H2 followed by N-N bond cleavage to generate a new intermediate with the formula ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N)(mu-NSiH2Bu)(Ta[NPN]); confirmation of N-N bond cleavage is evident from the 15N-labeled isotopomer that displays an absence of 15N-15N scalar coupling in the 15N NMR spectrum. In the presence of additional silane, a second hydrosilylation and reductive elimination results to give ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-NSiH2Bu)2, a species in which each dinitrogen-derived N atom has been converted to a bridging silylimide ligand. This latter complex displays C2h symmetry both in solution and in the solid state.     

Shining light on photoredox catalysis: theory and synthetic applications

Photoredox catalysis is emerging as a powerful tool in synthetic organic chemistry. The aim of this synopsis is to provide an overview of the photoelectronic properties of photoredox catalysts as they are applied to organic transformations. In addition, recent synthetic applications of photoredox catalysis are presented.     

Indenyl zirconium dinitrogen chemistry: N2 coordination to an isolated zirconium sandwich and synthesis of side-on, end-on dinitrogen compounds

Exposure of the isolable zirconocene sandwich compounds, (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))Zr (R(1) = Me, (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me) to one atmosphere of dinitrogen resulted in N2 coordination. X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy establish that the resulting dimeric dinitrogen compounds contain an unusual mu2,eta(2)-bridging indenyl ring and a weakly activated N2 ligand. N2 coordination from the isolable zirconium sandwich compounds is extremely sensitive to the number and size of the indenyl subsituents. Compounds bearing two [(i)Pr] or three methyl substituents are stable as eta(9) sandwich compounds for weeks under dinitrogen likely due to the inability to dimerize through a two-atom N2 bridge. Performing the reduction of (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))ZrCl2 (R(1) = (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me; R(1) = R(2) = SiMe3) under an N2 atmosphere produced a different outcome; rare examples of side-on, end-on zirconium dinitrogen compounds were isolated and in one case, crystallographically characterized. Protonolysis studies with weak Br?nsted acids were used to evaluate the relative activation of the bridging dinitrogen ligands.     

STM studies of photochemistry and plasmon chemistry on metal surfaces

We review our recent studies of photochemistry and plasmon chemistry of dimethyl disulfide, (CH₃S)₂, molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The STM has been used not only for the observation of surface structures at atomic spatial resolution but also for local spectroscopies. The STM combined with optical excitation by light can be employed to investigate chemical reactions of single molecules induced by photons and localized surface plasmons. This technique allows us to gain insights into reaction mechanisms at a single molecule level. The experimental procedures to examine the chemical reactions using the STM are briefly described. The mechanism for the photodissociation reaction of (CH₃S)₂ molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces is discussed based on both the experimental results obtained with the STM and the electronic structures calculated by density functional theory. The dissociation reaction of the (CH₃S)₂ molecule induced by the optically excited plasmon in the STM junction between a Ag tip and metal substrate is also described. The reaction mechanism and pathway of this plasmon-induced chemical reaction are discussed by comparison with those proposed in plasmon chemistry.     

Shining light on the role of shape-controlled nanomaterials in photocatalysis

Shape-controlled nanomaterials have been in the spotlight of photocatalysis for nearly two decades as they afford a unique level of energetic and structural tunability while possessing many desirable characteristics of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as solution stability, high turnover number, and facile catalyst isolation. However, they come with their own set of challenges. Fundamentally, photocatalysis can be thought of as an analog to electrocatalysis, wherein thermodynamic driving force is provided by photosensitizer-originated excited charge carriers as opposed to an external circuit. In this minireview, recent advances and challenges in the development of shape-controlled nanomaterials for photocatalysis are highlighted, drawing attention to emerging areas of research and development such as nontoxic heavy metal–free photocatalysts, nanocrystal–ligand–solution interface engineering, and biohybrid systems for improved activity in challenging redox reactions.     

Chemistry and key structural features of oxyhydroxy-fluorides: relationships with the acidic character, thermal stability and surface area

The stability of Al, Cr and Fe hydroxy-fluorides MF_3−x(OH)_x which adopt the hexagonal-tungsten-bronze (HTB)-type structure has been discussed by considering the lability of water coordinated to metals from a kinetic point of view. Thus, in the case of Al or Fe compounds, the easy departure of water contributes to the stabilization of fluoride ions as well as isolated hydroxyl groups around the metal, leading to the formation of the HTB structure. The stabilization of the HTB structure with respect to another structural type, the pyrochlore, with a lower density, is governed by this kinetic feature as well as the ability of fluorinated salts used as precursors to attract hydroxyls. Al(III) and Fe(III) represent the strongest acidic cations and the associated HTB-type structure containing isolated OH groups can easily be stabilized. In the case of Cr, a mixture of pyrochlore and HTB-type structure is generally obtained. We have succeeded in preparing, using supercritical medium, new (Fe, Cr) oxyhydroxy-fluorides which exhibit edge-shared octahedra and large 1D tunnels. These compounds can be considered as potential candidates for acid catalysts.     

New cyclopentenyl-linked [NPN] ligands and their coordination chemistry with zirconium: synthesis of a dinuclear side-on-bound dinitrogen complex

The synthesis and characterization of two 1,2-cyclopentyl-bridged diiminophosphine proligands, (CY5)[NPN](DMP)H(2) (CY5 = cyclopentylidene; DMP = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) and (CY5)[NPN](DIPP)H(2) (DIPP = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)), are presented, and tautomerization to the corresponding 1,2-cyclopentenyl-bridged enamineimine phosphine precursors is reported. These two new proligands are obtained by deprotonation of N-DMP- or N-DIPP-cyclopentylideneimine (N-DMP, 2,6-dimethylphenyl; N-DIPP, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) and the subsequent addition of 0.5 equiv of dichlorophenylphosphine. Each ligand precursor exists as a mixture of isomers that consist of the diimine, enamineimine, and dienamine tautomers and corresponding stereoisomers, each of which could be identified. The bis(dimethylamido)zirconium complexes (CY5)[NPN](DMP)Zr(NMe(2))(2) and (CY5)[NPN](DIPP)Zr(NMe(2))(2) were prepared directly from the neutral proligands and Zr(NMe(2))(4) via protonolysis. Exchange of the dimethylamido ligands in the latter complexes for chlorides and iodides takes place upon reaction with excess Me(3)SiCl and Me(3)SiI, respectively. A dinuclear zirconium-dinitrogen complex, {(CY5)[NPN](DMP)Zr(THF)}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)), was obtained via KC(8) reduction of (CY5)[NPN](DMP)ZrCl(2) under 4 atm of N(2). On the basis of single-crystal X-ray analysis, N(2) has been reduced to a side-on-bound hydrazido (μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)(4-)) unit. This dinitrogen complex is thermally unstable and decomposes in solution.     

Characterizing bitterness: identification of key structural features and development of a classification model

This work describes the first approach in the development of a comprehensive classification method for bitterness of small molecules. The data set comprises 649 bitter and 13 530 randomly selected molecules from the MDL Drug Data Repository (MDDR) which are analyzed by circular fingerprints (MOLPRINT 2D) and information-gain feature selection. The feature selection proposes substructural features which are statistically correlated to bitterness. Classification is performed on the selected features via a na?ve Bayes classifier. The substructural features upon which the classification is based are able to discriminate between bitter and random compounds, and thus we propose they are also functionally responsible for causing the bitter taste. Such substructures include various sugar moieties as well as highly branched carbon scaffolds. Cynaropicrine contains a number of the substructural features found to be statistically associated with bitterness and thus was correctly predicted to be bitter by our model. Alternatively, both promethazine and saccharin contain fewer of these substructural features, and thus the bitterness in these compounds was not identified. Two different classes of bitter compounds were identified, namely those which are larger and contain mainly oxygen and carbon and often sugar moieties, and those which are rather smaller and contain additional nitrogen and/or sulfur fragments. The classifier is able to predict 72.1% of the bitter compounds. Feature selection reduces the number of false-positives while also increasing the number of false negatives to 69.5% of bitter compounds correctly predicted. Overall, the method presented here presents both one of the largest databases of bitter compounds presently available as well as a relatively reliable classification method.     

Trifluoromethylated enaminones and their explorative coordination chemistry with Cu(II): synthesis, redox properties and structural characterization of the complexes

The syntheses of three original trifluoromethylated enaminones L1H-L3H, an unexplored type of ligand with possible multiple coordination centres, their redox properties and explorative coordination chemistry with copper(II) are presented. The ability of these ligands to coordinate copper(II) and then to form new mono- and dinuclear complexes is presented and discussed. The consequences of this metal coordination on redox properties are also explored.     

Shining the light: the mechanism of the bioluminescence reaction of calcium-binding photoproteins

The Cat²⁺-binding photoproteins from jellyfish have the unique ability to emit blue light in the presence of calcium ions but without molecular oxygen or any other cofactor. Although there is no crystallographic data on the structure of the photoprotein complex, structure-activity studies have elucidated many features of the complex and many aspects of the mechanism of the bioluminescence reaction.     

The chemistry of cadmium-thiocarboxylate derivatives: synthesis, structural features, and application as single source precursors for ternary sulfides

Novel heterobimetallic complexes [(PPh(3))(2)Cu(μ-SCOPh)(2)Cd(SCOPh)] (2a), [(PPh(3))(2)Cu(μ-SCOth)(2)Cd(SCOth)] (2b), [(PPh(3))(2)Ag(μ-SCOth)(2)Cd(SCOth)] (3a), [(PPh(3))(2)Ag(μ-SCOth)(2)Cd(H(2)O)(SCOth)] (3b), [(PPh(3))(2)Ag(μ-SCOPh)(2)Cd(SCOPh)] (3c), and a bimetallic complex [PPh(3)Cd(μ-SCOth)SCOth](2)·CH(2)Cl(2) (5) (th = thiophene) were prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A coordination polymer [Cd(SCOPh)(2)](n) (4) has also been characterized structurally that exhibited metal-like electrical conductivity. The heterobimetallic complexes on pyrolyzing under controlled conditions yielded ternary sulfides of composition CuCd(7)S(8), CuCd(10)S(11), Ag(2)Cd(8)S(9), and Ag(2)Cd(5)S(6), which have been characterized by SEM-EDX and X-ray diffractometry. Photophysical properties and electrical conductivities of the sulfides have also been studied.     

The mechanistically significant coordination chemistry of dinitrogen at FeMo-co, the catalytic site of nitrogenase

Reported here is a comprehensive theoretical investigation of the binding of N(2) to the Fe(7)MoS(9)N(homocitrate)(cysteine)(histidine) active site (FeMo-co) of the enzyme nitrogenase, as a prerequisite to elucidation of the chemical mechanism of the catalyzed reduction to NH(3). The degree and type of hydrogenation of FeMo-co, with H atoms and possibly an H(2) molecule, are key variables, following the Thorneley-Lowe kinetic scheme. Ninety-four local energy minima were located for N(2) coordinated in eta(2) (side) and eta(1) (end) modes at the endo and exo coordination positions of Fe2 and Fe6. The stabilities of 57 representative structures are assessed by calculation of the reaction profiles and activation energies for the association and dissociation of N(2). Barriers to association of N(2) depend mainly on the location of the hydrogenation and the location of N(2) coordination, while dissociation barriers depend primarily on whether N(2) is eta(2)- and eta(1)-coordinated, and secondarily on the location of the hydrogenation. Increased negative charge on FeMo-co increases the barriers, while C in place of N at the center of FeMo-co has little effect. The interactions of the models of ligated FeMo-co with the surrounding protein, including proteins with mutations of key amino acids, are assessed by in silico cofactor transplantations and calculations of protein strain energies. From these results, which identify models involving contacts and interactions with the surrounding residues that have been shown by mutation to affect the N(2) activity of nitrogenase, and from the N(2) coordination profiles, it is concluded that endo-eta(1)-N(2) coordination at Fe6 is most probable. There is strong reason to believe that the mechanism of nitrogenase will involve one or more of the preferred models presented here, and a detailed foundation of structures and principles is now available for postulation and calculation of the profiles of the steps in which H atoms bound to FeMo-co are transferred to bound N(2).