Derivatives of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf): Electrochemistry, complexation and the X-ray structures of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)osmocene (dppo) and [PdCl2(dppo)]

The oxidative electrochemistry of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)osmocene (dppo) and 1,1′-bis(diphenylarsino)ferrocene (dpaf) was studied in dichloromethane with tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate as the supporting electrolyte. The [MCl₂(P^∩P)] (M = Pd or Pt; P^∩P = dppo or 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphinoindenyl)iron) complexes were prepared, studied electrochemically and the X-ray structures of dppo and [PdCl₂(dppo)] were determined.     

Molecular structure and force field of boron tribromide as determined from combined analysis of gas electron diffraction and spectroscopic data and supported by quantum-chemical density-functional calculations

The thermal-average parameters of BBr₃ at 21(1) °C were obtained from a conventional analysis of gas electron diffraction (GED) data (r_g(B---Br) = 190.0(4) pm). The equilibrium structure and the force constants were refined from a joint analysis of the GED intensities and vibrational frequencies using different approximations. The simplest approximation (quadratic potential function in rectilinear coordinates) is suitable for the refinements of the equilibrium bond length (r^h_e(B---Br) = 189.6(4) pm) and the force constants of BBr₃. The molecule is planar within the error limits. Quantum-chemical density-functional calculations supported planarity of the molecule.     

Gas-phase electron diffraction study of cyclic dimer of dimethylphosphinic acid (Me2P(O)OH)2 using quantum chemical data and a priori force field

The molecular structure of the hydrogen bonded cyclic dimer of dimethylphosphinic acid (Me₂P(O)OH)₂ was determined by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) at 433 K. The presence of monomer cannot be determined at this temperature within the error limits for the GED method. Structural analysis was performed with consideration of non-linear kinematic effects at the first-order level of perturbation theory (h1). The vibrational characteristics of internuclear distances were calculated from a priori scaled quantum chemical (RHF/6-311G**) force field. The analysis aided by a constraint based on the RHF/6-311G** calculations yielded the following r_h1-parameters of the C₂-symmetry dimer configuration: PO 1.497(3); P-O 1.573(4); P-C 1.806(1) and 1.811(1) Å; (C-H)_av. 1.109(3) Å; ∠O-PO 120(1)°. Unlike PO and P-O bonds, whose lengths in the gas phase and in the solid state differ insignificantly, the -O?O distance in the gas phase (r_h1 2.81(4) Å) is considerably longer than in the solid state (r_α 2.48(2) Å). The latter is in accordance with the conclusion based on the IR spectra that transition from gas to a solid sample leads to strengthening of the H-bonds. Due to its small contribution to the diffraction pattern, the donor O-H bond length (r_h1 0.99(1) Å) was forcedly bound up with the parameters of C-H bonds. With this assumption, the other geometrical parameters characterizing the H-bond fragment have the following r_h1 values: O?H 1.84(4) Å, ∠-OHO164(6)°, and ∠P-O-H 117(4)°. Conformational flexibility of the non-planar eight-atom ring of the dimer is experimentally verified by absence of any apparent peaks of the f(r) curve at the r-region of more than 4.2 Å.     

New cyclic and macrocyclic silaolefins via ring-closing metathesis of 1,1-bis(silyl)ethene-tethered dienes

Dialkenyl-substituted 1,1-bis(silyl)ethenes of the general formulae (CH₂CH(CH₂)_nMe₂Si)₂CCH₂ and (CH₂CH(CH₂)_nOMe₂Si)₂CCH₂, (where n = 1-3) have been successfully converted into new silacyclic or silamacrocyclic compounds in the presence of ruthenium-benzylidene complex (first generation Grubbs catalyst). The structures of both macrocyclic silaolefins have been confirmed using X-ray diffraction.     

Theoretical prediction of vibrational spectra. The a priori scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field and vibrational spectra of pyrimidine

The complete harmonic force field of pyrimidine has been computed at the ab initio Hartree—Fock level using a 4–21 Gaussian basis set. In order to compensate the systematic overestimations of the force constants at the aforementioned level of quantum mechanical approximation, the theoretical force constants were empirically scaled by using nine scale factors. (The values of all these scale factors were previously determined by fitting the theoretical force field of benzene to the observed vibrational spectra of benzene.) The resulting a priori scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field is regarded as the most accurate and physically the most correct harmonic force field for pyrimidine. This force field was then used to predict the vibrational spectra of pyrimidine-h₄ and pyrimidine-d₄. On the basis of these a priori vibrational spectra uncertain assignments have been confidently resolved. After a few reassignments, the mean deviations between the experimental and calculated frequencies are below 9 and 18 cm⁻¹ for the non-CH stretching in-plane and the out-of-plane vibrations, respectively. Computed IR intensities are generally in agreement with experiments at a qualitative level.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of late transition metal complexes containing 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ferrocene (dcpf). The X-ray structure of [PdCl2(dcpf)] and Buchwald-Hartwig catalysis using [PdCl2(bisphosphinometallocene)] precursors

The electrochemistry of 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylylphosphino)ferrocene (dcpf) was examined in methylene chloride with tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate or tetrabutylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate as the supporting electrolyte. The oxidation of dcpf is complicated by a follow-up reaction. Seven new complexes containing dcpf and one new compound containing 1,1′-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ferrocene (dtbpf) were prepared and characterized. The new complexes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and the oxidation of these complexes occurred at a more positive potential than the free ligand. In addition, the X-ray structure of [PdCl₂(dcpf)] was determined and compared to other palladium complexes containing bisphosphinometallocene ligands. Five different palladium complexes containing bisphosphinometallocene ligands were examined as catalyst precursors in Buchwald-Hartwig catalysis.     

Biodegradation of organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos into a major fuel additive 2,4-bis(1,1 dimethylethyl) phenol using white-rot fungal strain Trametes hirsuta MTCC-1171

Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos, a widely used organophosphorus insecticide, was accomplished by using a white-rot fungal strain (Trametes hirsuta MTCC-1171). The experimental results showed that the fungal strain can effectively and rapidly degrade chlorpyrifos while using it as a sole source of carbon and energy when provided with mineral salt medium (MSM). The optimum experimental conditions for degradation of chlorpyrifos in liquid media can be summed as follows: initial pH 6.0; mycelial inoculum 0.18 ​± ​0.01 ​g ​L⁻¹ (dry weight); chlorpyrifos concentration 150 ​mg ​L⁻¹; pH 6.0; temperature 30 ​°C; and shaking speed 150 ​rpm. Under these optimal experimental parameters, T. hirsuta MTCC-1171 achieved ≥95% degradation of chlorpyrifos in 16 ​h of incubation. The degradation rate was quantified by employing HPLC followed by identification of degradation metabolites using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 2,4-Bis (1,1 dimethylethyl) phenol, a fuel additive, was found to be a major metabolite product of chlorpyrifos degradation. However, no metabolite bioaccumulation was observed in the process. Additionally, soil studies were carried out to investigate the degradation ability of the strain against chlorpyrifos, in a natural environment. During the assessment 37 ​± ​2.3% degradation was observed after 15 days of incubation. These results illustrate that T. hirsuta MTCC-1171 has a potential of using chlorpyrifos as a sole source of carbon. Besides, fundamental understanding gained through this work lays a foundation to investigate efficient and rapid bioremediation processes in agricultural and forest environments.     

Synthesis of 1,1-bis(silyl)-1-alkene derivatives bearing Si-H functional groups via Peterson protocol

Various aromatic aldehydes were converted to one-carbon elongate 1,1-bis(silyl)-1-alkene derivatives bearing Si-H functional and reactive groups in a convenient one-pot operation via the Peterson protocol. Then poly(styrene) and poly(α-methylstyrene) (?&II) random homopolymers were synthesized by solution free radical polymerization at 70(±1) °C using α,α′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. The aldehyde group is introduced by direct electrophilic substitution of polymers ? and II. This formylation reaction was conducted in two different solvents: dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and nitrobenzene (PhNO₂). The results indicate that PhNO₂ appeared to be a more suitable solvent for such an aldehyde functionalization of the polymers. The formylated polymers (I_CHO, II_CHO) were then converted to Si-H functionalized polymers (I_Si-H, II_Si-H) via reaction with tris(dimethylsilyl)methyllithium, (HMe₂Si)₃CLi.     

The structure of tricyclo[3.3.2.0]decane (hexahydrobullvalene) – A gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) study

The molecular structure of tricyclo[3.3.2.0^2.8]decane (hexahydrobullvalene) has been determined experimentally by gas-phase electron diffraction as well as by quantum chemical calculations. The bond lengths (twofold standard deviations in parentheses) in the skeleton [1.496(7) in the cyclopropane ring, 1.527(10) adjacent to it, 1.550(22) for the central bonds in the bridges and 1.548(16) Å for the bonds originating from the singular bridgehead] all can be explained in terms of the features of this cage hydrocarbon. All three CCC valence angles [113.0(8)° at the singular bridgehead, 112.8(12) adjacent to it and 122.3(20) adjacent to the skeletal cyclopropane ring] are larger than the regular tetrahedral angle on an sp³-hybridized carbon atom. The two-carbon bridges between the skeletal cyclopropane ring and the opposite bridgehead are twisted with a dihedral angle of 43(2)°, i.e. significantly less than the approximately 60° in n-butane in its synclinal (gauche) conformation.     

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes with 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine: Synthesis,spectral properties and structure

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes with the tridentate 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (LH₂), [Ru(trpy)(LH₂)]²⁺, [1]²⁺ and [Ru(trpy)(L²⁻)], 2 (trpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) have been synthesized. The complexes have been authenticated by elemental analyses, UV–Vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectra and their single crystal X-ray structures. Complexes [1]²⁺ and 2 exhibit strong MLCT band near 475 and 509 nm, respectively, and are found to be very much dependent on solution pH. The successive pH dependent dissociations of the N–H protons of benzimidazole moiety of LH₂ in [1]²⁺ lead to the formation of 2. The proton induced inter-convertibility of [1]²⁺ and 2 has been monitored via UV–Vis spectroscopy and redox features. The two pK_a values, 5.75 and 7.70, for complex [1]²⁺ have been determined spectroscopically.     

Study of the reaction of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-phenylethylene with some acyl chlorides in the presence of AlCl3

1,1-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-phenylethylene (1), which has been synthesized from the Peterson reaction between (Me₃Si)₃CLi and benzaldehyde, reacts with various acyl chlorides (RCOCl, R = Me, Et, iso-Pr, n-Bu, iso-Bu, iso-C₅H₁₁, PhCH₂, PhCH₂CH₂) in the presence of AlCl₃ to give -silyl-,β-unsaturated enones 3a–3h with high E stereoselectivity along with trans-,β-unsaturated ketones 4a–4h. The enones 3 can be partially converted into the ketones 4 with an excess of AlCl₃. Reaction of 1 with RCOCl, (R = Ph, CH₃CH=CH) afforded only the ketones 4. Yields were dependent on time and the amounts of AlCl₃ used.     

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes with 2,6-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)pyridine as an ancillary ligand: Synthesis,structure and spectral studies

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes, [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, with 2,6-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)pyridine as an ancillary ligand, L, have been synthesized and characterized by UV–Vis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The formulations of the complexes were confirmed by the single crystal structure of their perchlorate salts. In both complexes, the Ru^II center is hexa-coordinated in a distorted geometry. In complex [1]⁺, the ancillary ligand L behaves as a bidentate ligand; in [2]²⁺, however, it binds the metal center as a tridentate ligand. The central pyridine nitrogen of terpyridine (N_p,trpy) is in a cis position with respect to the central pyridine nitrogen of the ancillary ligand (N_p,benz) in complex [1]⁺ and in a trans-position in complex [2]²⁺. The cis orientation of N_p,trpy and N_p,benz in complex [1]⁺ forces L to behave as bidentate. The quasi-reversible Ru^II/Ru^III couple appears at 0.90 and 1.44 V versus SCE in the case of complex [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, respectively. [1]⁺, in the presence of aqueous AgNO₃, affords [2]²⁺ through an intramolecular dissociative interchange pathway.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable poly(ether-azomethine)s derived from 1,1-bis[4-(4-benzaldehyde oxy)-3-methyl phenyl] cyclopentane

A new dialdehyde 1,1-bis[4-(4-benzaldehyde oxy)-3-methyl phenyl] cyclopentane (BBMPC) was synthesized starting from cyclopentanone and O-cresol to give 1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methyl phenyl)cyclopentane (BHMPC); followed by reaction with 4-fluorobenzaldehyde in N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), containing anhydrous potassium carbonate. New series of poly(ether-azomethine)s were synthesized from (BBMPC) with different diamines such as 4,4′- diamino diphenyl ether (ODA); 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (MDA); 4-aminophenyl sulfone (SDA); p-phenylene diamines (p-PDA), etc. in N, N’- dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) with 5 wt% LiCl by the solution polycondensation method. Inherent viscosities of these polymers were in the range 0.20 to 0.38 dL/g indicating formation of moderate molecular weights. These polymers exhibited good solubility in various polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), DMAc, DMF, etc. However some polymers showed partial solubility in DMF and DMAc. X-Ray diffraction pattern of polymers showed amorphous nature. Thermal stability was assessed by 10% weight loss temperature and the degradation temperature of the resultant polymers falls in the ranges from 444-501°C in nitrogen. The glass transition temperature was in the range of 155-205°C. The structure-property correlation among these polyazomethines were studied; in view of their potential applications as high performance polymers.     

Molecular structure of phenylsilane: a study by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure of phenylsilane has been determined accurately by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the MP2(f.c.)/6-31G* level. The calculations indicate that the perpendicular conformation of the molecule, with a Si–H bond in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the benzene ring, is the potential energy minimum. The coplanar conformation, with a Si–H bond in the plane of the ring, corresponds to a rotational transition state. However, the difference in energy is very small, 0.13 kJ mol⁻¹, implying free rotation of the substituent at the temperature of the electron diffraction experiment (301 K). Important bond lengths from electron diffraction are: <r_g(C–C)>=1.403±0.003 Å, r_g(Si–C)=1.870±0.004 Å, and r_g(Si–H)=1.497±0.007 Å. The calculations indicate that the C_ipso–C_ortho bonds are 0.010 Å longer than the other C–C bonds. The internal ring angle at the ipso position is 118.1±0.2° from electron diffraction and 118.0° from calculations. This confirms the more than 40-year old suggestion of a possible angular deformation of the ring in phenylsilane, in an early electron diffraction study by F.A. Keidel, S.H. Bauer, J. Chem. Phys. 25 (1956) 1218.     

Quantum-chemical study of the effects of stabilization of 1,3-di(silylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene and its halo-substituted analogs due to the interaction of Si-coordination and carbene centers

A potential surface of rotational transformations of 1,3-di(silylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene and its halo-substituted analogs has been analyzed using quantum-chemical methods. Coordination interactions of the carbene center with Si-fragments have been studied. It is shown that the above interaction results in a structural reorganization of the silicon centers from the tetrahedral state to the trigonal–bipyramidal. This leads to a considerable stabilization of compounds in the planar state. The stabilization effect is strengthened by halogenation.     

Synthesis of 1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)alkyl isocyanates, carbamates, and ureas

A convenient preparative method for the synthesis of 1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)alkyl isocyanates was proposed. The reactions of the isocyanates with alcohols, phenols, and alkyl-, aryl-, and hetarylamines were studied. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1205–1209, July, 2000.     

Copper(I) halide complexes with 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphano)-1,1′-binaphthyl (rac-binap) and heterocyclic thiones. Racemic compounds in chiral and achiral crystal space groups

Reactions of copper(I) halides with racemic 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphano)-1,1′-binaphthyl (rac-binap) in 1:1 molar ratio afforded mononuclear complexes of the type [CuX(rac-binap)] (X = Cl, Br, I) which, on further treatment with 1 equiv. of pyridine-2-thione (py2SH), pyrimidine-2-thione (pymtH) or 4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidine-2-thione (dmpymtH) gave rise to the formation of mixed-ligand complexes of the formula [CuX(rac-binap)(thione)]. The molecular structures of [CuBr(rac-binap)(py2SH)] · 2CH₂Cl₂, [CuBr(rac-binap)(py2SH)] · CH₂Cl₂ and [CuBr(rac-binap)(dmpymtH)] · CH₂Cl₂ have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each of the complexes features a distorted tetrahedral copper(I) center with the phosphane acting in a chelating fashion. The complexes are strongly luminescent in the solid state at ambient temperature. Unusually, the [CuBr(rac-binap)(py2SH)] · 2CH₂Cl₂ molecules crystallise in a chiral space group with independent S- and R-enantiomers in the asymmetric unit.     

Novel organosoluble and colorless poly(ether imide)s based on 1,1-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane dianhydride and trifluoromethyl-substituted aromatic bis(ether amine)s

A series of novel fluorinated poly(ether imide)s (IV) having inherent viscosities of 0.70-1.08 dL/g were prepared from 1,1-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane dianhydride (I) and various trifluoromethyl (CF₃)-substituted aromatic bis(ether amine)s II_a-g by a standard two-step process with thermal and chemical imidization of poly(amic acid) precursors. These poly(ether imide)s showed excellent solubility in many organic solvents and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These films were essentially colorless, with an ultraviolet-visible absorption edge of 375-380 nm and a very low b^∗ value (a yellowness index) of 5.5-7.3. They also showed good thermal stability with glass-transition temperatures of 207-269 °C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 474 °C, and char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen more than 62%. In comparison with analogous V series poly(ether imide)s without the -CF₃ substituents, the IV series polymers showed better solubility, lower color intensity, and lower dielectric constants.     

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of CF2Br2, CF3I and (CF3)2CFI to allylaromatics: Synthesis and the reactivity of 4-aryl-1,1-difluorodienes and 4-aryl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)dienes

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of CF₂Br₂, CF₃I and (CF₃)₂CFI to the terminal double bond of allylbenzenes and of (CF₃)₂CFI to allylpyridines in a MeCN/H₂O system were investigated. The reactions of CF₂Br₂ with allylbenzenes gave comparable amounts of adducts, 1-(2,4-dibromo-4,4-difluorobutyl)benzenes, debrominated products,1-(4-bromo-4,4-difluorobutyl)benzenes, and dimeric compounds in total yields 40-66%. Treatment of the adducts with DBU resulted in double dehydrohalogenation affording 4-aryl-1,1-difluorobutadienes which undergo Diels-Alder condensation with nitrogen dienophiles to give N-heterocycles with difluoromethylene group in the ring. The reactions of CF₃I and (CF₃)₂CFI with allylbenzenes gave the respective adducts, (4,4,4-trifluoro-2-iodobutyl)benzenes and 1-(4,5,5,5-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-iodopentyl)benzenes as the main products. Dehydrohalogenation of these adducts resulted, respectively, in (4,4,4-trifluoro-but-1-enyl)benzenes and 4-aryl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)butadienes in high yields. (CF₃)₂CFI reacted rapidly with allylpyridines to give mixtures from which, after treatment with DBU, 4-pyridyl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)butadienes were isolated in a ca. 60% yield.