Direct observation of a 14-electron ruthenacyclobutane relevant to olefin metathesis

The 14-electron ruthenium phosphonium alkylidene complex [(IH2Mes)Cl2Ru=CH(PCy3)][B(C6F5)4], 1b, a highly active olefin metathesis catalyst, reacts with stoichiometric quantities of ethylene at -50 degrees C in CD2Cl2 to generate the ruthenacyclobutane complex [(IH2Mes)Cl2RuCH2CH2CH2], 2, and [CH2=CH(PCy3)][B(C6F5)4] in quantitative yield by NMR spectroscopy. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies on 2 and 2-13C3 are consistent with a symmetrical C2v structure, providing the first experimental information concerning this crucial intermediate in ruthenium-mediated olefin metathesis. At -50 degrees C, exchange with free ethylene takes place on the chemical time scale. Complex 2 decomposes in solution upon warming to room temperature, generating propene and unknown ruthenium product(s).     

Characterization and dynamics of substituted ruthenacyclobutanes relevant to the olefin cross-metathesis reaction

The reaction of the phosphonium alkylidene [(H(2)IMes)RuCl(2)=CHP(Cy)(3))](+) BF(4)(-) with propene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene at -45 °C affords various substituted, metathesis-active ruthenacycles. These metallacycles were found to equilibrate over extended reaction times in response to decreases in ethylene concentrations, which favored increased populations of α-monosubstituted and α,α'-disubstituted (both cis and trans) ruthenacycles. On an NMR time scale, rapid chemical exchange was found to preferentially occur between the β-hydrogens of the cis and trans stereoisomers prior to olefin exchange. Exchange on an NMR time scale was also observed between the α- and β-methylene groups of the monosubstituted ruthenacycle (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CHRCH(2)CH(2)) (R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(3)CH(3)). EXSY NMR experiments at -87 °C were used to determine the activation energies for both of these exchange processes. In addition, new methods have been developed for the direct preparation of metathesis-active ruthenacyclobutanes via the protonolysis of dichloro(1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene)(benzylidene) bis(pyridine)ruthenium(II) and its 3-bromopyridine analogue. Using either trifluoroacetic acid or silica-bound toluenesulfonic acid as the proton source, the ethylene-derived ruthenacyclobutane (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)) was observed in up to 98% yield via NMR at -40 °C. On the basis of these studies, mechanisms accounting for the positional and stereochemical exchange within ruthenacyclobutanes are proposed, as well as the implications of these dynamics toward olefin metathesis catalyst and reaction design are described.     

Kinetics and mechanism of complex formation of nickel(II) with tetra-N-alkylated cyclam in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF): comparative study on the reactivity and solvent exchange of the species Ni(DMF)6(2+) and Ni(DMF)5Cl+

13C NMR was used to study the rate of DMF exchange in the nickel(II) cation Ni(DMF)6(2+) and in the monochloro species Ni(DMF)5Cl+ with 13C-labeled DMF in the temperature range of 193-395 K in DMF (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). The kinetic parameters for solvent exchange are kex = (3.7 +/- 0.4) x 10(3) s-1, delta H++ = 59.3 +/- 5 kJ mol-1, and delta S++ = +22.3 +/- 14 J mol-1 K-1 for Ni(DMF)6(2+) and kex = (5.3 +/- 1) x 10(5) s-1, delta H++ = 42.4 +/- 4 kJ mol-1, and delta S++ = +6.7 +/- 15 J mol-1 K-1 for Ni(DMF)5Cl+. Multiwavelength stopped-flow spectrophotometry was used to study the kinetics of complex formation of the cation Ni(DMF)6(2+) and of the 100-fold more labile cation Ni(DMF)5Cl+ with TMC (1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) and TEC (1,4,8,11-tetraethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) in DMF at 298 K and I = 0.6 M (tetra-n-butylammoniumperchlorate). Equilibrium constants K for the addition of the nucleophiles DMF, Cl-, and Br- to the complexes Ni(TMC)2+ and Ni(TEC)2+ were determined by spectrophotometric titration. Formation of the complexes Ni(TMC)2+ and Ni(TEC)2+ was found to occur in two stages. In the initial stage, fast, second-order nickel incorporation with rate constants k1(TMC) = 99 +/- 5 M-1 s-1 and k1 (TEC) = 235 +/- 12 M-1 s-1 leads to the intermediates Ni(TMC)int2+ and Ni(TEC)int2+, which have N4-coordinated nickel. In the second stage, these intermediates rearrange slowly to form the stereochemically most stable configuration. First-order rate constants for the one-step rearrangement of Ni(TMC)int2+ and the two-step rearrangment of Ni(TEC)int2+ are presented. Because of the rapid formation of Ni(DMF)5Cl+, the reactions of Ni(DMF)6(2+) with TMC and TEC are accelerated upon the addition of tetra-n-butylammoniumchloride (TBACl) and lead to the complexes Ni(TMC)Cl+ and Ni(TEC)Cl+, respectively. For initial concentrations such that [TBACl]o/[nickel]o > or = 20, intermediate formation is 230 times (TMC) and 47 times (TEC) faster than in the absence of chloride. The mechanism of complex formation is discussed.     

A para-hydrogen investigation of palladium-catalyzed alkyne hydrogenation

The complexes [Pd(bcope)(OTf)2] (1a), where bcope is (C8H14)PCH2-CH2P(C8H14), and [Pd(tbucope)(OTf)2] (1b), where tbucope is (C8H14)PC6H4CH2P(tBu)2, catalyze the conversion of diphenylacetylene to cis- and trans-stilbene and 1,2-diphenylethane. When this reaction was studied with para-hydrogen, the characterization of [Pd(bcope)(CHPhCH2Ph)](OTf) (2a) and [Pd(tbucope)(CHPhCH2Ph)](OTf) (2b) was achieved. Magnetization transfer from the alpha-H of the CHPhCH2Ph ligands in these species proceeds into trans-stilbene. This process has a rate constant of 0.53 s-1 at 300 K in methanol-d4 for 2a, where DeltaH = 42 +/- 9 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS = -107 +/- 31 J mol-1 K-1, but in CD2Cl2 the corresponding rate constant is 0.18 s-1, with DeltaH = 79 +/- 7 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS = 5 +/- 24 J mol-1 K-1. The analogous process for 2b was too fast to monitor in methanol, but in CD2Cl2 the rate constant for trans-stilbene formation is 1.04 s-1 at 300 K, with DeltaH = 94 +/- 6 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS = 69 +/- 22 J mol-1 K-1. Magnetization transfer from one of the two inequivalent beta-H sites of the CHPhCH2Ph moiety proceeds into trans-stilbene, while the other site shows transfer into H2 or, to a lesser extent, cis-stilbene in CD2Cl2, but in methanol it proceeds into the vinyl cations [Pd(bcope)(CPh=CHPh)(MeOD)](OTf) (3a) and [Pd(tbucope)(CPh=CHPh)(MeOD)](OTf) (3b). When the same magnetization transfer processes are monitored for 1a in methanol-d4 containing 5 microL of pyridine, transfer into trans-stilbene is observed for two sites of the alkyl, but the third proton now becomes a hydride ligand in [Pd(bcope)(H)(pyridine)](OTf) (5a) or a vinyl proton in [Pd(bcope)(CPh=CHPh)(pyridine)](OTf) (4a). For 1b, under the same conditions, two isomers of [Pd(tbucope)(H)(pyridine)](OTf) (5b and 5b') and the neutral dihydride [Pd(tbucope)(H)2] (7) are detected. The single vinylic CH proton in 3 and the hydride ligands in 4 and 5 appear as strong emission signals in the corresponding 1H NMR spectra.     

Selective ruthenium-catalyzed transformations of enynes with diazoalkanes into alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

Reaction of a variety of CCH bond-containing 1,6-enynes with N2CHSiMe3 in the presence of RuCl(COD)Cp* as catalyst precursor leads, at room temperature, to the general formation of alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes with high Z-stereoselectivity of the alkenyl group and cis arrangement of the alkenyl group and an initial double-bond substituent, for an E-configuration of this double bond. The stereochemistry is established by determining the X-ray structures of three bicyclic products. The same reaction with 1,6-enynes bearing an R substituent on the C1 carbon of the triple bond results in either cyclopropanation of the double bond with bulky R groups (SiMe3, Ph) or formation of alkylidene-alkenyl five-membered heterocycles, resulting from a beta elimination process, with less bulky R groups (R = Me, CH2CH=CH2). The reaction can be applied to in situ desilylation in methanol and direct formation of vinylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and to the formation of some alkenylbicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes from 1,7-enynes. The catalytic formation of alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes also takes place with enynes and N2CHCO2Et or N2CHPh. The reaction can be understood to proceed by an initial [2+2] addition of the Ru=CHSiMe3 bond with the enyne CCH bond, successively leading to an alkenylruthenium-carbene and a key alkenyl bicyclic ruthenacyclobutane, which promotes the cyclopropanation, rather than metathesis, into bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes. Density functional theory calculations performed starting from the model system Ru(HCCH)(CH2=CH2)Cl(C5H5) show that the transformation into a ruthenacyclobutane intermediate occurs with a temporary eta3-coordination of the cyclopentadienyl ligand. This step is followed by coordination of the alkenyl group, which leads to a mixed alkyl-allyl ligand. Because of the non-equivalence of the terminal allylic carbon atoms, their coupling favors cyclopropanation rather than the expected metathesis process. A direct comparison of the energy profiles with respect to those involving the Grubbs catalyst is presented, showing that cyclopropanation is favored with respect to enyne metathesis.     

Sigma-organyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium supported by a mixed-donor ligand

A series of vinyl, aryl, acetylide and silyl complexes [Ru(R)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] (R = CH=CH2, CH=CHPh, CH=CHC6H4CH3-4, CH=CH(t)Bu, CH=2OH, C(C triple bond CPh)=CHPh, C6H5, C triple bond CPh, SiMe2OEt; MI = 1-methylimidazole-2-thiolate) were prepared from either [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] or [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2](BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) by reaction with the nitrogen-sulfur mixed-donor ligand, 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (HMI), in the presence of base. In the same manner, [Os(CH=CHPh)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] was prepared from [Os(CH=CHPh)(CO)Cl(BTD)(PPh3)2]. The in situ hydroruthenation of 1-ethynylcyclohexan-1-ol by [RuH(CO)Cl(BTD)(PPh3)2] and subsequent addition of the HMI ligand and excess sodium methoxide yielded the dehydrated 1,3-dienyl complex [Ru(CH=CHC6H9)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]. Dehydration of the complex [Ru(CH=CHCPh2OH)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] with HBF4 yielded the vinyl carbene [Ru(=CHCH=CPh2)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]BF4. The hydride complexes [MH(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2](M = Ru, Os) were obtained from the reaction of HMI and KOH with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] and [OsHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2], respectively. Reaction of [Ru(CH=CHC6H4CH3-4)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] with excess HC triple bond CPh leads to isolation of the acetylide complex [Ru(C triple bond CPh)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2], which is also accessible by direct reaction of [Ru(C triple bond CPh)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole and NaOMe. The thiocarbonyl complex [Ru(CPh = CHPh)Cl(CS)(PPh3)2] reacted with HMI and NaOMe without migration to yield [Ru(CPh= CHPh)(kappa2-MI)(CS)(PPh3)2], while treatment of [Ru(CH=CHPh)Cl(CO)2(PPh3)2] with HMI yielded the monodentate acyl product [Ru{eta(1)-C(=O)CH=CHPh}(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The single-crystal X-ray structures of five complexes bearing vinyl, aryl, acetylide and dienyl functionality are reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of ethylbis(2-pyridylethyl)amineruthenium complexes and two different types of C-H bond cleavage at an ethylene arm

Ruthenium complexes bearing ethylbis(2-pyridylethyl)amine (ebpea), which has flexible -C(2)H(4)- arms between the amine and the pyridyl groups and coordinates to a metal center in facial and meridional modes, have been synthesized and characterized. Three trichloro complexes, fac-[Ru(III)Cl(3)(ebpea)] (fac-[1]), mer-[Ru(III)Cl(3)(ebpea)] (mer-[1]), and mer-[Ru(II)Cl(3){η(2)-N(C(2)H(5))(C(2)H(4)py)═CH-CH(2)py}] (mer-[2]), were synthesized using the Ru blue solution. Formation of mer-[2] proceeded via a C-H activation of the CH(2) group next to the amine nitrogen atom of the ethylene arm. Reduction reactions of fac- and mer-[1] afforded a triacetonitrile complex mer-[Ru(II)(CH(3)CN)(3)(ebpea)](PF(6))(2) (mer-[3](PF(6))(2)). Five nitrosyl complexes fac-[RuX(2)(NO)(ebpea)]PF(6) (X = Cl for fac-[4]PF(6); X = ONO(2) for fac-[5]PF(6)) and mer-[RuXY(NO)(ebpea)]PF(6) (X = Cl, Y = Cl for mer-[4]PF(6); X = Cl, Y = CH(3)O for mer-[6]PF(6); X = Cl, Y = OH for mer-[7]PF(6)) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. A reaction of mer-[2] in H(2)O-C(2)H(5)OH at room temperature afforded mer-[1]. Oxidation of C(2)H(5)OH in H(2)O-C(2)H(5)OH and i-C(3)H(7)OH in H(2)O-i-C(3)H(7)OH to acetaldehyde and acetone by mer-[2] under stirring at room temperature occurred with formation of mer-[1]. Alternative C-H activation of the CH(2) group occurred next to the pyridyl group, and formation of a C-N bond between the CH moiety and the nitrosyl ligand afforded a nitroso complex [Ru(II)(N(3))(2){N(O)CH(py)CH(2)N(C(2)H(5))C(2)H(4)py}] ([8]) in reactions of nitrosyl complexes with sodium azide in methanol, and reaction of [8] with hydrochloric acid afforded a corresponding chloronitroso complex [Ru(II)Cl(2){N(O)CH(py)CH(2)N(C(2)H(5))C(2)H(4)py}] ([9]).     

Sequential and selective hydrogenation of the C(alpha)-C(beta) and M-C(alpha) double bonds of an allenylidene ligand coordinated to osmium: new reaction patterns between an allenylidene complex and alcohols

Complex [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4 (1) reacts with primary and secondary alcohols to give the corresponding dehydrogenated alcohols and the hydride-carbene derivative [OsH(=CHCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4 (2), as a result of hydrogen transfer reactions from the alcohols to the Calpha-Cbeta double bond of the allenylidene ligand of 1. The reactions with phenol and t-butanol, which do not contain any beta-hydrogen, afford the alkoxy-hydride-carbyne complexes [OsH(OR)(CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)(PiPr3)2]BF4 (R = Ph (3), tBu (4)), as a consequence of the 1,3-addition of the O-H bond of the alcohols to the metallic center and the Cbeta atom of the allenylidene of 1. On the basis of the reactions of 1 with these tertiary alcohols, deuterium labeling experiments, and DFT calculations, the mechanism of the hydrogenation is proposed. In acetonitrile under reflux, the Os-C double bond of 2 undergoes hydrogenation to give 1,1-diphenylpropene and [Os{CH2CH(CH3)PiPr2(CH3CN)3(PiPr3)]BF4 (11), containing a metalated phosphine ligand. This reaction is a first-order process with activation parameters of DeltaH = 89.0 +/- 6.3 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS = -43.5 +/- 9.6 J mol-1 K-1. The X-ray structures of 2 and 3 are also reported.     

Stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity of the N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium hydride complexes [Ru(NHC)(L)(CO)HCl] and [Ru(NHC)(L)(CO)H(eta2-BH4)] (L=NHC, PPh3)

Thermolysis of [Ru(AsPh3)3(CO)H2] with the N-aryl heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IMes (1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), IPr (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) or the adduct SIPr.(C6F5)H (SIPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene), followed by addition of CH2Cl2, affords the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium hydride chloride complexes [Ru(NHC)2(CO)HCl] (NHC=IMes , IPr , SIPr ). These react with CO at room temperature to yield the corresponding 18-electron dicarbonyl complexes . Reduction of and [Ru(IMes)(PPh3)(CO)HCl] () with NaBH4 yields the isolable borohydride complexes [Ru(NHC)(L)(CO)H(eta2-BH4)] (, L=NHC, PPh3). Both the bis-IMes complex and the IMes-PPh3 species react with CO at low temperature to give the eta1-borohydride species [Ru(IMes)(L)(CO)2H(eta1-BH4)] (L=IMes , PPh3), which can be spectroscopically characterised. Upon warming to room temperature, further reaction with CO takes place to afford initially [Ru(IMes)(L)(CO)2H2] (L=IMes, L=PPh3) and, ultimately, [Ru(IMes)(L)(CO)3] (L=IMes , L=PPh3). Both and lose BH3 on addition of PMe2Ph to give [Ru(IMes)(L)(L')(CO)H2](L=L'=PMe2Ph; L=PPh3, L'=PMe2Ph). Compounds and have been tested as catalysts for the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in the presence of (i)PrOH and H2. For the reduction of acetophenone, catalytic activity varies with the NHC present, decreasing in the order IPr>IMes>SIMes.     

Synthesis and activity of ruthenium alkylidene complexes coordinated with phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of a variety of ruthenium complexes coordinated with phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. These complexes include several alkylidene derivatives of the general formula (NHC)(PR(3))(Cl)(2)Ru=CHR', which are highly active olefin metathesis catalysts. Although these catalysts can be prepared adequately by the reaction of bis(phosphine) ruthenium alkylidene precursors with free NHCs, we have developed an alternative route that employs NHC-alcohol or -chloroform adducts as "protected" forms of the NHC ligands. This route is advantageous because NHC adducts are easier to handle than their free carbene counterparts. We also demonstrate that sterically bulky bis(NHC) complexes can be made by reaction of the pyridine-coordinated precursor (NHC)(py)(2)(Cl)(2)Ru=CHPh with free NHCs or NHC adducts. Two crystal structures are presented, one of the mixed bis(NHC) derivative (H(2)IMes)(IMes)(Cl)(2)Ru=CHPh, and the other of (PCy(3))(Cl)(CO)Ru[eta(2)-(CH(2)-C(6)H(2)Me(2))(N(2)C(3)H(4))(C(6)H(2)Me(3))], the product of ortho methyl C-H bond activation. Other side reactions encountered during the synthesis of new ruthenium alkylidene complexes include the formation of hydrido-carbonyl-chloride derivatives in the presence of primary alcohols and the deprotonation of ruthenium vinylcarbene ligands by KOBu(t). We also evaluate the olefin metathesis activity of NHC-coordinated complexes in representative RCM and ROMP reactions.     

Mechanism of olefin metathesis with catalysis by ruthenium carbene complexes: density functional studies on model systems

Gradient-corrected (BP86) density functional calculations were used to study alternative mechanisms of the metathesis reactions between ethene and model catalysts [(PH(3))(L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2)] with L=PH3 (I) and L=C(3)N(2)H(4)=imidazol-2-ylidene (II). On the associative pathway, the initial addition of ethene is calculated to be rate-determining for both catalysts (Delta G(22-25)*[double bond] kcal mol(-1)). The dissociative pathway starts with the dissociation of phosphane, which is rather facile (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 5-10 kcal mol(-1)). The resulting active species (L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) can coordinate ethene cis or trans to L. The cis addition is unfavorable and mechanistically irrelevant (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 21-25 kcal mol(-1)). The trans coordination is barrierless, and the rate-determining step in the subsequent catalytic cycle is either ring closure of the complex to yield the ruthenacyclobutane (catalyst I, Delta G(298)*=12 kcal mol(-1)), or the reverse reaction (catalyst II, ring opening, Delta G(298)*=10 kcal mol(-1)), that is, II is slightly more active than I. For both catalysts, the dissociative mechanism with trans olefin coordination is favored. The relative energies of the species on this pathway can be tuned by ligand variation, as seen in (PMe(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) (III), in which phosphane dissociation is impeded and olefin insertion is facilitated relative to I. The differences in calculated relative energies for the model catalysts I-III can be rationalized in terms of electronic effects. Comparisons with experiment indicate that steric effects must also be considered for real catalysts containing bulky substituents.     

Kinetic and computational study of dissociative substitution and phosphine exchange at tetrahedrally distorted cis-Pt(SiMePh2)2(PMe2Ph)2

The substitution kinetics of Me2PhP in cis-Pt(SiMePh2)2(PMe2Ph)2 (1) by the chelating ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane has been followed at 25.0 degrees C in dichloromethane by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Addition of the leaving ligand causes mass-law retardation compatible with a dissociative process via a three-coordinate transition state or intermediate. Exchange of Me2PhP in 1 has been studied by variable-temperature magnetization transfer 1H NMR in toluene-d8, giving kex326 = 1.76 +/- 0.12 s-1, delta H++ = 117.8 +/- 2.1 kJ mol-1, and delta S++ = 120 +/- 7 J K-1 mol-1. An exchange rate constant independent of the concentrations of free phosphine, a strongly positive delta S++, and nearly equal exchange and ligand dissociation rate constants also support a dissociative process. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for a dissociative process give an estimate for the Pt-P bond energy of 98 kJ mol-1 for R = R' = Me, which is in reasonable agreement with the experimental activation energy given the differences between the substituents used in the calculation and those employed experimentally. DFT calculations on cis-Pt(PR3)2(SiR'3)2 (R = H, CH3; R' = H, CH3) are consistent with the experimental molecular structure and show that methyl substituents on the Si donors are sufficient to induce the observed tetrahedral twist. The optimized Si-Pt-Si angle in cis-Pt(SiH3)2(PH3)2 is not significantly altered by changing the P-Pt-P angle from its equilibrium value of 104 degrees to 80 degrees or 120 degrees. The origin of the tetrahedral twist is therefore not steric but electronic. The Si-Pt-Si angle is consistently less than 90 degrees, but the Si-Si distance is still too long to support an incipient reductive elimination reaction with its attendant Si-Si bonding interaction. Instead, it appears that four tertiary ligands introduce a steric strain which can be decreased by a twist of two of the ligands out of the plane; this twist is only possible when two strong sigma donors are cis to each other, causing a change in the metal's hybridization.     

Temperature-dependent coordination of phosphine to five-coordinate alkenylruthenium complexes

The red, five-coordinate complexes Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))2(CH=CHPh) and [Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))2]2(mu-CH=CHC(6)H(4)CH=CH) undergo reversible coordination of PPh(3) at low temperature to produce the pale yellow, six-coordinate complexes Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))3(CH=CHPh) and [Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))3]2(mu-CH=CHC(6)H(4)CH=CH). X-ray crystal structures of the latter complex and of the hydride complex RuH(CO)Cl(PPh(3))3 were obtained. 1H and 31P NMR spectra between 20 and -70 degrees C exhibit large changes in both equilibrium constants and dynamic effects. Thermodynamic parameters, DeltaH = -17.5 +/- 2.0 kcal/mol and DeltaS = -57.5 +/- 7.6 eu, were obtained for PPh(3) coordination to the monoruthenium complex, and activation parameters, DeltaH = 20.6 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol and DeltaS = 41.6 +/- 2.0 eu, were obtained for the reverse decoordination. Coordination of PPh(3) was not observed upon cooling of the shorter bridged complex, [Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))2]2(mu-CH=CHCH=CH).     

An experimental and computational study on the effect of Al(OiPr)3 on atom-transfer radical polymerization and on the catalyst-dormant-chain halogen exchange

Compound Al(OiPr)3 is shown to catalyze the halide-exchange process leading from [Mo(Cp)Cl2(iPrN=CH-CH=NiPr)] and CH3CH(X)COOEt (X=Br, I) to the mixed-halide complexes [Mo(Cp)ClX(iPrN=CH-CH=NiPr)]. On the other hand, no significant acceleration is observed for the related exchange between [MoX3(PMe3)3] (X=Cl, I) and PhCH(Br)CH3, by analogy to a previous report dealing with the Ru(II) complex [RuCl2(PPh3)3]. A DFT computation study, carried out on the model complexes [Mo(Cp)Cl2(PH3)2], [MoCl3(PH3)3], and [RuCl2(PH3)3], and on the model initiators CH3CH(Cl)COOCH3, CH3Cl, and CH3Br, reveals that the 16-electron Ru(II) complex is able to coordinate the organic halide RX in a slightly exothermic process to yield saturated, diamagnetic [RuCl2(PH3)3(RX)] adducts. The 15-electron [MoCl3(PH3)3] complex is equally capable of forming an adduct, that is, the 17-electron [MoCl3(PH3)3(CH3Cl)] complex with a spin doublet configuration, although the process is endothermic, because it requires an energetically costly electron-pairing process. The interaction between the 17-electron [Mo(Cp)Cl2(PH3)2] complex and CH3Cl, on the other hand, is repulsive and does not lead to a stable 19-electron adduct. The [RuCl2(PH3)3(CH3X)] system leads to an isomeric complex [RuClX(PH3)3(CH3Cl)] by internal nucleophilic substitution at the carbon atom. The transition state of this process for X=Cl (degenerate exchange) is located at lower energy than the transition state required for halogen-atom transfer leading to [RuCl3(PH3)3] and the free radical CH3. On the basis of these results, the uncatalyzed halide exchange is interpreted as the result of a competitive S(N)i process, whose feasibility depends on the electronic configuration of the transition-metal complex. The catalytic action of Al(OiPr)3 on atom-transfer radical polymerization (and on halide exchange for the 17-electron half-sandwich Mo(III) complex) results from a more favorable Lewis acid-base interaction with the oxidized metal complex, in which the transferred halogen atom is bound to a more electropositive element. This conclusion derives from DFT studies of the model [Al(OCH3)3]n (n=1,2,3,4) compounds, and on the interaction of Al(OCH3)3 with CH3Cl and with the [Mo(Cp)Cl3(PH3)2] and [RuCl3(PH3)3] complexes.     

Can octahedral t2g6 complexes substitute associatively? The case of the isoelectronic ruthenium(II) and rhodium(III) hexaaquaions

For the low-spin t2g6 Ru(OH2)6(2+) (delta V++ = -0.4 cm3 mol-1) and Rh(OH2)6(3+) (delta V++ = -4.2 cm3 mol-1) hexaaquaions, the respective Id and Ia water exchange mechanisms had been assigned, mainly on the basis of activation volumes delta V++ and entering ligands effects for water substitution. For Ru(II) the near-zero delta V++ was supposed to be due to the compensation between a positive contribution (the loss of a water molecule) and a negative one (the contraction of the bonds of the five spectator ligands at the transition state). Recently, it has been suggested that Rh(III), because of its higher positive charge, could promote further spectator ligands bond contraction sufficient to change the sign of delta V++ to a negative value. If true, this would be an example of limitation in the use of delta V++ for a direct diagnosis of the mechanism. Quantum chemical calculations including hydration effects show that the activation energies for the water exchange on Rh(OH2)6(3+) via the Ia (114.8 kJ mol-1) and the D pathways is 21.8 kJ mol-1 in favor of the former. In the case of Ru(OH2)6(2+) all attemps to compute a transition state for an interchange mechanism failed, but the calculated delta E++ for the D mechanism (71.9 kJ mol-1) is close to both experimental delta G298++ and delta H298++ values. The calculated delta sigma d(M-O) values of -0.53 A for rhodium(III) and +1.25 A for ruthenium(II) agree with the experimented delta V++ values and suggest Ia and D (or Id) mechanisms, respectively. In the case of Ru(OH2)6(2+) the shortening of the bonds of the five spectator ligands to reach the transition states corresponds to a volume change of -1.7 cm3 mol-1. For Rh(OH2)6(3+) these spectator ligands' volume decrease is much smaller (maximum of -0.8 cm3 mol-1) and the bond lengths of the two exchanging ligands at the transition state are characteristic of an interchange pathway with a small "a" character. Because of the strong RhIII-O bonds, water exchange on Rh(OH2)6(3+) proceeds via the Ia pathway with retention of the configuration, whereas the same reaction of Ru(OH2)6(2+), which has considerably weaker RuII-O bonds, follows the Id or the D mechanism.     

Two generalizable routes to terminal carbido complexes

Desulfurization of the thiocarbonyl ligand in square pyramidal [Ru(CS)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1-S) via sulfur atom abstraction using [Mo(H)(eta2-Me2CNAr)(N[i-Pr]Ar)2] forms [Ru(C)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1) cleanly over several hours in benzene; isolated yield is 55%. Complex 1 is also formed in 87% isolated yield upon reaction of [Ru(CHR)(PCy3)2Cl2] (R = p-C6H4Me, 2; Ph, 3) with vinyl acetate in dichloromethane. Complex 1-S is re-formed quantitatively from 1 upon treatment with elemental sulfur in CH2Cl2, but is prepared most conveniently by treatment of crude [Ru(CS)Cl2(PPh3)2(OH2)] with excess PCy3 in toluene. Nearly quantitative conversion of 1 to [Ru(CO)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1-O) occurs upon addition of dimethyldioxirane solution in acetone to 1 dissolved in CH2Cl2 at ca. -90 degrees C.     

C7 and C9 carbon-rich bridges in diruthenium systems: synthesis, spectroscopic, and theoretical investigations of different oxidation States

Two methodologies of C-C bond formation to achieve organometallic complexes with 7 or 9 conjugated carbon atoms are described. A C7 annelated trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C-CH=C(CH2)-C[triple bond]C-Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (X = PF6, OTf) complex is obtained from the diyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)2-R] (R = H, SiMe3) in the presence of [FeCp2][PF6] or HOTf, and C7 or C9 complexes trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-C(CH3)=C(R1)-C(R2)=C=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][X] (n = 1, 2; R1 = Me, Ph, R2 = H, Me; X = BF4, OTf) are formed in the presence of a polyyne trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru-(C[triple bond]C)n-R] (n = 2, 3; R = H, SiMe3) with a ruthenium allenylidene trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru=C=C=C(CH2R1)R2][X]. These reactions proceed under mild conditions and involve cumulenic intermediates [M+]=(C=)nCHR (n = 3, 5), including a hexapentaenylidene. A combination of chemical, electrochemical, spectroscopic (UV-vis, IR, NIR, EPR), and theoretical (DFT) techniques is used to show the influence of the nature and conformation of the bridge on the properties of the complexes and to give a picture of the electron delocalization in the reduced and oxidized states. These studies demonstrate that the C7 bridging ligand spanning the metal centers by almost 12 angstroms is implicated in both redox processes and serves as a molecular wire to convey the unpaired electron with no tendency for spin localization on one of the halves of the molecules. The reactivity of the C7 complexes toward protonation and deprotonation led to original bis(acetylides), vinylidene-allenylidene, or carbyne-vinylidene species such as trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru[triple bond]C-CH=C(CH3)-CH=C(CH3)-HC=C=Ru(dppe)2Cl][BF4]3.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of reactions of methyldioxorhenium(V) in aqueous solutions: dimer formation and oxygen-atom abstraction reactions

The stable compound CH3ReO3 (MTO), upon treatment with aqueous hypophosphorous acid, forms a colorless metastable species designated MDO, CH3ReO2(H2O)n (n = 2). After standing, MDO is first converted to a yellow dimer (lambda max = 348 nm; epsilon = 1.3 x 10(4) L mol-1 cm-1). That reaction follows second-order kinetics with k = 1.4 L mol-1 s-1 in 0.1 M aq trifluoromethane sulfonic acid at 298 K. Kinetics studies as functions of temperature gave delta S++ = -4 +/- 15 J K-1 mol-1 and delta H++ = 71.0 +/- 4.6 kJ mol-1. A much more negative value of delta S++ would be expected for simple dimerization, suggesting the release of one or more molecules of water in forming the transition state. If solutions of the dimer are left for a longer period, an intense blue color results, followed by precipitation of a compound that does, even after a long time, retain the Re-CH3 bond in that aq. hydrogen peroxide generates the independently known CH3Re(O)(O2)2(H2O). The blue compound may be analogous to the intensely colored purple cation [(Cp*Re)3(mu 2-O)3(mu 3-O)3ReO3]+. If a pyridine N-oxide is added to the solution of the dimer, it is rapidly but not instantaneously lost at the same time that a catalytic cycle, separately monitored by NMR, converts the bulk of the PyO to Py according to this stoichiometric equation in which MDO is the active intermediate: C5H5NO + H3PO2-->C5H5N + H3PO3. A thorough kinetic study and the analysis by mathematical and numerical simulations show that the key step is the conversion of the dimer D into a related species D* (presumably one of the two mu-oxo bonds has been broken); the rate constant is 5.6 x 10(-3) s-1. D* then reacts with PyO just as rapidly as MDO does. This scheme is able to account for the kinetics and other results.     

A controlled NO-releasing compound: synthesis,molecular structure,spectroscopy, electrochemistry,and chemical reactivity of R,R,S,S-trans-[RuCl(NO)(cyclam)]2+(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)

The synthesis of trans-[RuCl(NO)(cyclam)]2+ (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) can be accomplished by either the addition of cyclam to K2[RuCl5NO] or by the addition of NO to trans-[RuCl(CF3SO3)(cyclam)](CF3-SO3). Crystals of trans-[RuCl(NO)(cyclam)](ClO4)2 form in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with unit cell parameters of a = 7.66500(2) A, b = 24.7244(1) A, c = 16.2871(2) A, beta = 95.2550(10) degrees, and Z = 4. One of the two independent molecules in the unit cell lies disordered on a center of symmetry. For the ion in the general position, the Ru-N and N-O bond distances and the [Ru-N-O]3+ bond angle are 1.747(4) A, 1.128(5) A, 178.0(4) degrees, respectively. In both ions, cyclam adopts the (R,R,S,S) configuration, which is also consistent with 2D COSY 1H NMR studies in aqueous solution. Reduction (E degree = -0.1 V) results in the rapid loss of Cl- by first-order kinetics with k = 1.5 s-1 and the slower loss of NO (k = 6.10 x 10(-4) s-1, delta H++ = 15.3 kcal mol-1, delta S++ = -21.8 cal mol-1 K-1). The slow release of NO following reduction causes trans-[RuCl(NO)(cyclam)]2+ to be a promising controlled-release NO prodrug for vasodilation and other purposes. Unlike the related complex trans-[Ru(NO)(NH3)4(P(OEt)3)](PF6)2, trans-[RuCl(NO)(cyclam)]Cl2 is inactive in modulating evoked potentials recorded from mice hippocampal slices probably because of the slower dissociation of NO following reduction.     

Atmospheric chemistry of a model biodiesel fuel, CH3C(O)O(CH2)2OC(O)CH3: kinetics, mechanisms, and products of Cl atom and OH radical initiated oxidation in the presence and absence of NOx

Relative rate techniques were used to study the kinetics of the reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals with ethylene glycol diacetate, CH3C(O)O(CH2)2OC(O)CH3, in 700 Torr of N2/O2 diluent at 296 K. The rate constants measured were k(Cl + CH3C(O)O(CH2)2OC(O)CH3) = (5.7 +/- 1.1) x 10(-12) and k(OH + CH3C(O)O(CH2)2OC(O)CH3) = (2.36 +/- 0.34) x 10(-12) cm3 molecule-1 s-1. Product studies of the Cl atom initiated oxidation of ethylene glycol diacetate in the absence of NO in 700 Torr of O2/N2 diluent at 296 K show the primary products to be CH3C(O)OC(O)CH2OC(O)CH3, CH3C(O)OC(O)H, and CH3C(O)OH. Product studies of the Cl atom initiated oxidation of ethylene glycol diacetate in the presence of NO in 700 Torr of O2/N2 diluent at 296 K show the primary products to be CH3C(O)OC(O)H and CH3C(O)OH. The CH3C(O)OCH2O* radical is formed during the Cl atom initiated oxidation of ethylene glycol diacetate, and two loss mechanisms were identified: reaction with O2 to give CH3C(O)OC(O)H and alpha-ester rearrangement to give CH3C(O)OH and HC(O) radicals. The reaction of CH3C(O)OCH2O2* with NO gives chemically activated CH3C(O)OCH2O* radicals which are more likely to undergo decomposition via the alpha-ester rearrangement than CH3C(O)OCH2O* radicals produced in the peroxy radical self-reaction.