Selective C-C coupling of Ir-ethene and Ir-carbenoid radicals

The reactivity of the paramagnetic iridium(II) complex [Ir(II)(ethene)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (1) (Me(3)tpa=N,N,N-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl) amine) towards the diazo compounds ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) and trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSDM) was investigated. The reaction with EDA gave rise to selective C--C bond formation, most likely through radical coupling of the Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH(.)(COOEt)}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (7) and (the MeCN adduct of) 1, to give the tetracationic dinuclear complex [(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)Ir(III){CH(COOEt)CH(2)CH(2)}Ir(III)(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (4). The analogous reaction with TMSDM leads to the mononuclear dicationic species [Ir(III){CH(2)(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (11). This reaction probably involves a hydrogen-atom abstraction from TMSDM by the intermediate Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH(.)(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (10). DFT calculations support pathways proceeding via these Ir-carbenoid radicals. The carbenoid-radical species are actually carbon-centered ligand radicals, with an electronic structure best described as one-electron-reduced Fischer-type carbenes. To our knowledge, this paper represents the first reactivity study of a mononuclear Ir(II) species towards diazo compounds.     

Selective crystallization via vibrational strong coupling

The coupling of (photo)chemical processes to optical cavity vacuum fields is an emerging method for modulating molecular and material properties. Recent reports have shown that strong coupling of the vibrational modes of solvents to cavity vacuum fields can influence the chemical reaction kinetics of dissolved solutes. This suggests that vibrational strong coupling might also effect other important solution-based processes, such as crystallization from solution. Here we test this hitherto unexplored notion, investigating pseudopolymorphism in the crystallization from water of ZIF metal–organic frameworks inside optical microcavities. We find that ZIF-8 crystals are selectively obtained from solution inside optical microcavities, where the OH stretching vibration of water is strongly coupled to cavity vacuum fields, whereas mixtures of ZIF-8 and ZIF-L are obtained otherwise. Moreover, ZIF crystallization is accelerated by solvent vibrational strong coupling. This work suggests that cavity vacuum fields might become a tool for materials synthesis, biasing molecular self-assembly and driving macroscopic material outcomes.

Strong coupling of optical cavity vacuum fields and solvent vibrations leads to selective crystallization in a pseudo-polymorphic MOF system.     

Oxidative homolysis of organochromium(III) macrocyclic complexes

Summary Organochromium complexes, [CrRL(H₂O)]²⁺] (L = 1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane; R = 1°- or 2°-alkyl, or para-substituted benzyl), are oxidized to [CrRL(H₂O)]³⁺, which rapidly decomposes (k ₃ > 10² s^–1) by homolysis of the Cr-C bond. Rate constants of the oxidation of these complexes by [IrCl₆]^2– range from 2.20 × 10^–1 (R = Me) to 4.60 × 10⁵ (R = 4-MeC₆H₄CH₂)dm³ mol^–1 s^–1. A very negative reaction constant (–4.3) is found for the oxidation of para-substituted benzlchromium(III) complexes which, in conjunction with the results of product analysis, indicates a [Cr^III/R^.] type transition state.     

Calculations of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants in free radicals

For a number of free radicals the results of non-empirical (ab initio) and semi-empirical (INDO, DEPAC, CNDO/SP) calculations of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants are compared.     

Reactions of free radicals with η-allylpalladium(II) complexes: cyclohexyl radicals

Allyl palladium complexes of the types [(η³-allyl)PdCl]₂, (η³-allyl)PdCl(PPh₃) and [(η³-allyl)Pd(PPh₃)₂]Cl (allyl=C₃H₅, 1-MeC₃H₄, 2-MeC₃H₄, 1-PhC₃H₄, 2-PhC₃H₄) react with cyclohexyl radicals derived from the visible light photolysis of (c-hex)Co(DMG)₂(py). The reactions proceed via initial attack of the free radical at the metal center, followed by β-hydrogen elimination and subsequent reductive elimination of propene, 1-butene, isobutene, 3-phenylpropene and 2-phenylpropene, respectively. The 3-phenylpropene can be catalytically isomerized to the thermodynamically more stable 1-phenylpropene by either palladium metal or palladium(0) products, but the formation of 1-butene and 3-phenylpropene as primary products is unusual. A mechanism, differing in many ways from that proposed previously for analogous reactions of phenyl and trityl radicals, is proposed for the overall reaction and supported by use of the labeled cobaloxime, (2,2,6,6-D₄-c-hex)Co(DMG)₂(py).     

Reactions of oxygen free radicals with copper complexes in pyridine: differentiation between superoxide and hydroxyl radicals

Superoxide radicals are generated in tetraalkylammonium hydroxide-pyridine-H₂O₂ and detected by spin trapping and by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium. The addition of low-molecular-weight copper complexes (e.g., of anti-inflammatory drugs) decreases the concentration of superoxide. Depending on the solvent, different oxygen radicals are generated by the addition of hydrogen peroxide to solutions of the copper complexes; hydroxyl radicals are observed in aqueous solutions whereas superoxide is found in pyridine.     

On quantum-chemical estimates of constants of isotropic hyperfine coupling with protons in free radicals

A scheme of consitent quantum-chemical calculations of constants of isotropic hyperfine coupling (IHFC) with protons (a _H ^iso ) in free radicals is considered for the case where the spin populations ρ_s ^H are determined in the basic set of symmetrically orthogonalized atomic orbitals taking model σ-and π-electron fragments as an example. The competence of using two coefficients of proportionalityK(H) when estimating the proton IHFC constants by semiempirical quantum-chemical methods was demonstrated. Theoretical substantiation of empirical values of the above coefficients previously used is revealed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 245–249, February, 1999.     

Reactions of cobalt(III) complexes with free radicals derived from thymine

The nature of interaction of Co(III) complexes such as Co(III)EDTA and Co(III)NTA with transient adducts of thymine such as TOH^˙, T^˙?, and TH^˙ formed in the gamma radiolysis of thymine were studied. The study shows that TOH radicals do not undergo electron transfer reaction with Co(III) complexes whence no radiosensitization of thymine by Co(III) complexes was observed. Electron transfer however, takes place from T^˙? and TH^˙ to Co(III) complexes. A plausible mechanism of radiolysis of thymine in presence of Co(III) complexes is discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Selective functionalization of crown ethers via arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes

The crown ethers dibenzo-16-crown-4 and dibenzo-18-crown-5 and a diaryl polyether were complexed by the chromium tricarbonyl group for the purpose of selective functionalization. This complexation did indeed permit exclusive functionalization of the complexed ring. CHO and CH₂OH functionalities were introduced ortho to the ether group. It was noted that the nature of the two ether chains had a strong influence on the regioselectivity of the functionalization, which occurred preferentially on the side with the polyether chain. Photochemical decomplexation produced functionalized organic crown ethers.     

UV-induced free radicals in oriented DNA.

Abstract— Samples of oriented DNA containing 30% water were UV-irradiated at 77 K and investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The EPR spectra recorded in directions parallel and perpendicular to the DNA fibre direction showed that at low UV doses the induced free radicals are very similar to those induced by γ-irradiation at the same temperature. The γ-induced free radicals have previously been analysed and found to consist mainly of anionic free radicals on thymine and cationic free radicals on guanine. At higher UV doses or by suitable annealing of the samples given a low UV dose, significant amounts of hydrogen-addition radicals on thymine were observed. The quantum yield of free radical formation for irradiation at 300nm ± 10nm was estimated to 10^--⁴. We also made a quantitative determination of the UV-induced free radicals inside an optically effective volume of the sample. The following free radical induction frequencies at 77 K were estimated: γ-rays: 2 × 10^--¹² free radicals per rad per dalton and UV (300nm): 6 × 10^--¹² free radicals per J/m² per dalton.     

Selective formation of heteroaryl thioethers via a phosphonium ion coupling reaction

Heteroaryl thioethers, comprised of pyridines and diazines, are an important class of compounds with relevance to medicinal chemistry. Metal-catalyzed cross-couplings and S_NAr reactions are traditionally used to form C–S bonds in these systems but are limited by available halogenated precursors. An alternative approach is presented where pyridines and diazines are transformed into heterocyclic phosphonium salts and then C–S bonds are formed by adding thiolate nucleophiles. The process is 4-selective for pyridines, simple to execute and can be used to make derivatives of complex pharmaceuticals.     

Rates of reactions of some aqueous free radicals with platinum-ammine complexes using pulse radiolysis

The fast reaction technique of pulse radiolysis in conjunction with UV- visible absorption detection was used to determine the rate of reactions of hydrated electron, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl radical and dichloride anion radical with tetraammineplatinum(II) perchlorate and with trans- dihydroxotetraammineplatinum(IV) perchlorate complexes. Generally these reactions proceed at near diffusion-controlled rates. The second-order rate constant for the reaction of e _aq ^– , H, OH and Cl ₂ ^– radical with the Pt(II) complex are (1.9±0.1)·10¹⁰ M^–1·s^–1, (2.8±0.3)·10¹⁰ M^–1·s^–1, (6.6±0.4)·10⁹ M^–1·s^–1 and (9±1)·10⁹ M^–1·s^–1, respectively. The rate constant for the reaction of e _aq ^– with the Pt(IV) complex is (4.9±0.3)·10¹⁰ M^–1·s^–1, however, H atom and OH radical reactions proceed at relatively slower rates.     

Evaluation of MNDO approximation in quantum-chemical calculations of anisotropic hyperfine coupling tensors in free radicals

The MNDO approximation was tested for applicability in quantum-chemical calculations of anisotropic hyperfine coupling tensors using the same set of 17 free radicals as that used previously in evaluating a new procedure for quantum-chemical estimates of constants of isotropic hyperfine coupling with protons in the framework of the same approach. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2242–2247, December, 1999.