Luminescent properties of carbon-rich starburst gold(I) acetylide complexes. Crystal structure of [TEE][Au(PCy3)]4 ([TEE]H4=tetraethynylethene)

Two carbon-rich starburst gold(I) acetylide complexes [TEE][Au(PCy₃)]₄ (3, [TEE]H₄=tetraethynylethene) and [TEB][Au(PCy₃)]₃ (6, [TEB]H₃=1,3,5-triethynylbenzene) were prepared and their UV–vis absorption, emission and excitation spectra have been recorded. In fluid CH₂Cl₂ solutions, 3 exhibits prompt ¹(ππ*) fluorescence with λ_0–0 and λ_max at 413 and 428 nm, respectively, while 6 displays ³(ππ*) phosphorescence with λ_0–0 and λ_max at 446 and 479 nm, respectively. The crystal structure of 3·CH₂Cl₂ has been determined.     

Structure cristalline et conformation en solution aqueuse de la carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine)

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a biologically active molecule involved in muscular metabolism. It crystallises in the C; space group with a = 24.725 Å b = 5,427 Å c = 8,004 Å β = 100,2° (Z = 4)

In the crystal, acid and basic groups are engaged in hydrogen bonds whose strength is evaluated through IR frequencies. Molecular conformation in the solid state is defined by τ₁ = /t-177° τ₂ = −38° φ = −96° ψ = +131° χ₁ = 181° χ₂₁ = 62°

NMR study of carnosine in aqueous solution indicates that rotation about CH₂-CH₂ is free and that the other angles take the following values: Ø −150° or −90° and X₁ = 165° or 315°. Infrared and Raman spectra suggest that τ₂ undergoes small changes when going from crystal to solution while ψ is close to +150°.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a complex bearing interesting structural motifs: [Cu (C4H7N3) H2O (4,4′-Hbpy)]·SO4·NO3

A new complex [Cu (C₄H₇N₃) H₂O (4,4′-Hbpy)]·SO₄·NO₃ was synthesized and X-ray characterized. Elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy of the complex were performed. The crystal system is orthorhombic. Crystal data: Fw=498.98, spacegroup: P212121. Z=4, a=14.952(3), b=20.491(4), c=6.713 Å. V=2056.7(9) Å. λ(Mo-K)=0.71070 Å. μ=12.18 cm⁻¹, D_calc=1.66 g/cm³, F₀₀₀=1032.00, R=0.062, Rw=0.087. X-ray analysis illustrated that 4,4′-bpy is mono-protonated and that there are two kinds of anions in one molecule, which give rise to the hydrogen interaction between the molecules in the crystal. Then an extended three-dimensional network is formed along the hydrogen bonds and π–π bonds between the pyridine rings.     

UV photodissociation of N-methylpyrrole: The role of πσ states in non-hydride heteroaromatic systems

The photophysics of jet-cooled N-methylpyrrole molecules following excitation to their first excited singlet state (the ¹A₂ state, arising from a 3s/σ^*←π electron promotion) has been investigated by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation spectroscopy, by measurements of wavelength resolved ‘action’ spectra for forming CH₃ photoproducts, and by velocity map imaging studies of these CH₃ products (in their v = 0 and v₂ = 1 vibrational levels). CH₃ products are observed at all excitation wavelengths within the NMP absorption band. Direct dissociation on the ¹A₂ potential energy surface (PES) yields ‘fast’ CH₃ fragments, with an average total kinetic energy release (TKER) of 6500 cm⁻¹, but this product channel is only observed in a narrow wavelength range near the absorption band origin. All of the measured CH₃ images also show a broad component, peaking at lower TKER (1700 cm⁻¹); this component extends beneath the ‘fast’ feature in images recorded at wavelengths near the origin, and accounts for all of the CH₃ products observed at shorter photolysis wavelengths. These products are attributed to decay of highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules formed by radiationless transfer from the ¹A₂ state. Similarities and differences with the results of previous studies of the H + pyrrolyl products arising in the UV photodissociation of pyrrole are discussed in terms of the likely nuclear motions on the relevant ground and excited PESs (along R_N–CH3/R_N–H), and the possible couplings between these surfaces. The present study confirms that the proposed model of ¹πσ^* state induced bond fission in heteroaromatic molecules [A.L. Sobolewski, W. Domcke, Chem. Phys. 259 (2000) 181] is also applicable to non-hydride substituted heteroaromatics, but that mass effects can have an important influence on the subsequent nuclear dynamics.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of bimetallic cluster complexes [{Cd(phen)2}2V4O12]·5H2O and [Ni(phen)3]2[V4O12]·17.5H2O

The hydrothermal reactions of vanadium oxide starting materials with divalent transition metal cations in the presence of nitrogen donor chelating ligands yield the bimetallic cluster complexes with the formulae [{Cd(phen₂)₂V₄O₁₂]·5H₂O (1) and [Ni(phen)₃]₂[V₄O₁₂]·17.5H₂O (2). Crystal data: C₄₈H₅₂Cd₂N₈O₂₂V₄ (1), triclinic. a=10.3366(10), b=11.320(3), c=13.268(3) Å, =103.888(17)°, β=92.256(15)°, γ=107.444(14)°, Z=1; C₇₂H₁₃₁N₁₂Ni₂O_29.5V₄ (2), triclinic. a=12.305(3), b=13.172(6), c=15.133(4), =79.05(3)°, β=76.09(2)°, γ=74.66(3)°, Z=1. Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range 1.59° <θ<26.02° and 2.01°<θ<25.01° using the ω-scan technique, respectively. The structure of 1 consists of a [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster covalently attached to two {Cd(phen)₂}²⁺ fragments, in which the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster adopts a chair-like configuration. In the structure of 2, the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster is isolated. And the complex formed a layer structure via hydrogen bonds between the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ unit and crystallization water molecules.     

Oxygen abstraction from tetrahydrofuran by molybdenum-iodide complexes. X-ray molecular structure of [Mo2(μ-O)(μ-I)(μ-O2CCH3)I2(THF)4][MoOI4(THF)] (THF = tetrahydrofuran)

The interaction between Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄, Me₃SiI and I₂ in THF resulted in oxygen abstraction from the solvent and formation of [Mo₂(μ-O)(μ-I)(μ-O₂CCH₃) I₂(THF)₄]⁺[MoOI₄(THF)]⁻ and I---(CH₂)₄---I. The molybdenum complex has been characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Crystal data: triclinic, space group P , a = 13.827(3) Å; b = 15.803(7) Å; c = 9.950(3) Å; = 93.34(4)°; β = 102.40(2)°; γ = 90.09(2)°; V = 2120(2) Å₃; Z = 2; d_calc = 2.559 g cm⁻³; R = 0.0476 (R_w = 0.0613) for 370 parameters and 3938 data with F₀²> 3σ(F₀²). The metal-metal distance in the cation is 2.527(2) Å and indicates a strong interaction. The magnetic behavior is consistent with the assignment of one unpaired electron to the Mo₂⁷⁺ core of the cation and one to the d¹ Mo(V) center of the anion. The interaction between Mo(CO)₆ and I₂ in THF also results in the formation of 1,4-diiodobutane.     

Crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate—thermodynamic data on n-alkylmonoamine intercalations

Lamellar crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate, as anhydrous Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ and hydrated Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O compounds, were used as hosts for intercalation of polar n-alkylmonoamine molecules of the general formula CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂ (n=0–4, 7) in water or 1,2-dichloroethane. An increase in the interlayer distance was observed. The exothermic enthalpic values for intercalation increased with the number of carbon atoms and with increasing concentration of the amines. The intercalation followed by a titration procedure in the solid/liquid interface with Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O and Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ gave the enthalpy/number of carbons correlations: Δ_intH=−(1.74±0.43)–(1.30±0.13)n_c and Δ_intH=−(4.15±0.15)–(1.07±0.03)n_c, for water and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively. A similar correlation Δ_intH=−(4.27±0.80)–(1.85±0.21)n_c was obtained in water by using the ampoule breaking procedure for Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O. The increase in exothermic enthalpic values with the increase in n-aliphatic carbon atoms is more pronounced for the anhydrous compound and also when using the ampoule breaking procedure. The Gibbs free energies are negative. Positive entropic values favor intercalation in these systems.     

The X-ray analysis of dihydroheliangine monochloroacetate

In connection with heliangine, extracted from leaves of Helianthus tuberosus L., the crystal structure of dihydroheliangine monochloroacetate, C₂₂H₂₉C₇Cl, has been determined by X-ray methods. The tetragonal unit cell with dimensions, A = 13·77, C = 11·95 Å, contains four molecules, the space group being P4₁ - C₄² or P4₃ - C₄⁴. Using a three-dimensional Patterson function and minimum functions, a majority of atomic positions were determined. Further elucidation of the structure was continued by alternative application of successive least squares treatment and Fourier syntheses. The structure thus determined is fully consistent with the chemical results obtained by Morimoto et al. The final R-value is 0·134 (using 1680 data with sin² θ/λ² < 0·20) or 0·152 (using 2419 data with sin²θ/λ² < 0·27).     

Structures of propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and pivalaldehyde complexes of the chiral rhenium fragment [(η-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)]

The crystal structures of propionaldehyde complex (RS,SR)-(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHCH₂CH₃)]⁺ PF₆⁻ (1b⁺ PF₆^s−; monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.166 (1) Å, b = 18.316(1) Å, c = 14.872(2) Å, β = 100.51(1)°, Z = 4) and butyraldehyde complex (RS,SR)-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHCH₂CH₂CH₃)]⁺ PF₆⁻ (1c⁺PF₆⁻; monoclinic, P2₁/a (No. 14), a = 14.851(1) Å, b = 18.623(3) Å, c = 10.026(2) Å, β = 102.95(1)°, Z = 4) have been determined at 22°C and −125°C, respectively. These exhibit C O bond lengths (1.35(1), 1.338(5) Å) that are intermediate between those of propionaldehyde (1.209(4) Å) and 1-propanol (1.41 Å). Other geometric features are analyzed. Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(ClCH₂Cl)]⁺ BF₄⁻ and pivalaldehyde gives [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHC(CH₃)₃)]⁺BF₄⁻ (81%), the spectroscopic properties of which establish a π C O binding mode.     

Studies on organolanthanide complexes : LXIII. Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic characterization of new early organolanthanide, organoyttrium hydride and organoholmium hydroxide complexes

Organolanthanide chloride complexes [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂Ln(μ-Cl)]₂ (Ln = La, Pr, Ho and Y) react with excess NaH in THF at 45°C to give the dimeric hydride complexes [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂Ln(μ-H)]₂, which have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, MS and XPS spectroscopy, elemental analyses and X-ray crystallography. [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂Y(μ-H)]₂ crystallizes from THF/n-hexane at −30°C, in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 8.795(2) Å, b = 11.040(1) Å, c = 16.602(2) Å, = 93.73(1)°, β = 91.82(1)°, γ = 94.21(1)°, D_c = 1.393 gcm⁻³ for Z = 2 dimers. However, crystals of [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂Ho(μ-OH)]₂ were obtained by recrystallization of holmium hydride in THF/n-hexane at −30°C, in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 11.217(2) Å, b = 15.865(7) Å, c = 17.608(4) Å, D_c = 1.816 gcm⁻³ for Z = 4 dimers. In the complexes of yttrium and holmium, each Ln atom of the dimers is coordinated by two substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands, one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms (for the Y atom) or two hydroxyl groups (for the Ho atom) to form a distorted trigonal bipyramid if the C(η⁵)-bonded cyclopentadienyl is regarded as occupying a single polyhedral vertex.     

Microwave spectrum, structure, dipole moment and internal rotation of allylsilane

Microwave spectra of allylsilane and its ¹³C and deuterium substituted species have been measured and assigned for the skew isomer. The r_s structure was determined with the aid of several assumptions. Some of the parameters determined are; r(C=C) = 1.328 ± 0.007 Å, r(C---C) = 1.492 ± 0.008 Å, (CCC) = 126.7 ± 0.8°, (CCSi) = 111.6 ± 0.5° and τ(CCCSi) = 106.8 ± 1.1°. Dipole moments and their components were also determined for the CH₂ = CHCH₂SiH₃ and CH₂=CHCH₂SiD₃ species. Hyperconjugation between the C=C π bond and the C---Si σ bond is discussed.     

Synthesis and application of diphenylbis (3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane to form η-arene complexes of molybdenum

The neutral nitrogen-bidentate ligand, diphenylbis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, Ph₂CPz′₂, can readily be obtained by the reaction of Ph₂CCl₂ with excess HPz′ in a mixed-solvent system of toluene and triethylamine. It reacts with [Mo(CO)₆] in 1,2-dimethoxyethane to give the η²-arene complex, [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₃] (1). This η²-ligation appears to stabilize the coordination of Ph₂CPz′ ₂ in forming [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₂(N₂C₆H₄NO₂-p)][BPh₄] (2) and [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₂(N₂Ph)] [BF₄] (3) from the reaction of 1 with the appropriate diazonium salt but the stabilization seems not strong enough when [Mo{P(OMe)₃} ₃(CO)₃] is formed from the reaction of 1 with P(OMe)₃. The solid-state structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography: 1-CH₂Cl₂, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 11.814(3), b = 11.7929(12), c = 19.46 0(6) Å, β = 95.605(24)°, V = 2698.2(11) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.530 g/cm³ , R = 0.044, R_w = 0.036 based on 3218 reflections with I > 2σ(I); 2 (3)-1/2 hexane-1/2 CH₃OH-1/2 H₂O-1 CH₂Cl₂, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 41.766(10), b = 20.518(4), c = 16.784(3) Å, β = 101.871(18)°, V = 14076(5) ų, Z = 8, D_calc = 1.457 g/cm³, R = 0.064, R_w = 0.059 based on 5865 reflections with I > 2σ(I). Two independent cations were found in the asymmetric unit of the crystals of 3. The average distance between the Mo and the two η²-ligated carbon atoms is 2.574 Å in 1 and 2.581 and 2.608 Å in 3. The unfavourable disposition of the η²-phenyl group with respect to the metal centre in 3 and the rigidity of the η²-arene ligation excludes the possibility of any appreciable agostic C---H → Mo interaction.     

Collisional quenching of electronically excited germanium atoms, Ge[4p(S0)], by small molecules investigated by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy

The collisional quenching of electronically excited germanium atoms, Ge[4p²(¹S₀)], 2.029 eV above the 4p²(³P₀) ground state, has been investigated by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet at λ = 274.04 nm [4d(¹P₁⁰) ← 4p²(¹S₀)]. In contrast to previous investigations using the ‘single-shot mode’ at high energy, Ge(¹S₀) has been generated by the repetitive pulsed irradiation of Ge(CH₃)₄ in the presence of excess helium gas and added gases in a slow flow system, kinetically equivalent to a static system. This technique was originally developed for the study of Ge[4p²(¹D₂)] which had eluded direct quantitative kinetic study until recently. Absolute second-order rate constants obtained using signal averaging techniques from data capture of total digitised atomic decay profiles are reported for the removal of Ge(¹S₀) with the following gases (k_R in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 300 K): Xe, 7.1 ± 0.4 × 10⁻¹³; N₂, 4.7 ± 0.6 × 10⁻¹²; O₂, 3.6 ± 0.9 × 10⁻¹¹; NO, 1.5 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹¹; CO, 3.4 ± 0.5 × 10⁻¹²; N₂O, 4.5 ± 0.5 × 10⁻¹²; CO₂, 1.1 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹¹; CH₄, 1.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹¹; CF₄, 4.8 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹²; SF₆, 9.5 ± 1.0 × 10⁻¹³; C₂H₄, 3.3 ± 0.1 × 10⁻¹⁰; C₂H₂, 2.9 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹⁰; Ge(CH₃)₄, 5.4 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹¹. The results are compared with previous data for Ge(¹S₀) derived in the single-shot mode where there is general agreement though with some exceptions which are discussed. The present data are also compared with analogous quenching rate data for the collisional removal of the lower lying Ge[4p²(¹D₂)] state (0.883 eV), also characterized by signal averaging methods similar to that described here.     

Crystal Structure, Nano-particle Morphology and Interaction with ATP of [ NH3 CH2 CH（ NH2 ） CH3 ]2 [ M（ Ⅵ ） O2 （ OC6 H4 O）2 ] （M = Mo0. 6 W0. 4 ） and Its Activity to Promote DNA Cleavage

The title complex [NH_3CH_2CH(NH_2)CH_3]_2 [M(Ⅵ)O_2(OC_6H_4O)_2](M= Mo_(0.6)W_(0.4))was synthesized via a simple solution-phase chemical route.The determination of single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the title compound is crystallized in a monoclinic system with P2(1)/n space group,a=1.0913(10)nm,b=1.0442(10)nm,c=1.8842(19)nm,α=90°,β=96.530(17)°,γ=90°,Z=4,and V=2.133(4)nm3.The mononuclear anionic unit [M(Ⅵ)O2(OC6H4O)2]2-displays chiral pseudo-octahedral [MO_6] coordination geometry and is linked by chiral cations via hydrogen bond and π…π stacking interaction.The transmission electron microscopy images show that the title complex is comprised of nano-particles with diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm.The NMR study shows the 1H downfield chemical shifts of [NH_3CHaHbCH(NH_2)CH_3] cations in the title complex when it is mixed with adenosine-triphosphate(ATP),and the chemical shift difference between Ha and Hb is increased greatly,and most of the catecholate ligands dissociate from the central metal atoms.The DNA cleavage activity experiment reveals that DNA cleavage promoted by the title complex is lower than that by Na_2MoO_4 which possesses antitumor pro-perty,but higher than that by Na_2WO_4.     

Hydrogenmaleato bridged supramolecular double chains via π–π stacking interactions: syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of ∞[Cu(phen)X(HL)2/2] with X=Cl (1), NO3 (2) and H2L=maleic acid

Two novel hydrogen maleato (HL) bridged Cu(II) complexes _∞¹[Cu(phen)Cl(HL)_2/2] 1 and _∞¹[Cu(phen)(NO₃)(HL)_2/2] 2 were obtained from reactions of 1,10-phenanthroline, maleic acid with CuCl₂·2H₂O and Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, respectively, in CH₃OH/H₂O (1:1 v/v) at pH=2.0 and the crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Both complexes crystallize isostructurally in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with cell dimensions: 1 a=8.639(2) Å, b=15.614(3) Å, c=11.326(2) Å, β=94.67(3)°, Z=4, D_calc=1.720 g/cm³ and 2 a=8.544(1) Å, b=15.517(2) Å, c=12.160(1) Å, β=90.84(8)°, Z=4, D_calc=1.734 g/cm³. In both complexes, the square pyramidally coordinated Cu atoms are bridged by hydrogen maleato ligands into 1D chains with the coordinating phen ligands parallel on one side. Interdigitation of the chelating phen ligands of two neighbouring chains via π–π stacking interactions forms supramolecular double chains, which are then arranged in the crystal structures according to pseudo 1D close packing patterns. Both complexes exhibit similar paramagnetic behavior obeying Curie–Weiss laws χ_m(T−θ)=0.414 cm³ mol⁻¹ K with the Weiss constants θ=−1.45, −1.0 K for 1 and 2, respectively.     

S2 → S0 fluorescence in an aromatic thioketone, xanthione

In addition to the red phosphorescence (T₁(³ A₂n, π^*) → S₀) xanthione exhibits in solution an emission with a maximum at ≈ 23 000 cm⁻¹ and φ_f(298°) = 5 × 10⁻³. It is shown that this emission is fluorescence from the second excited singlet state (S₂ (¹A₁ π, π^*) → S₀).     

The kinetics of the chromic acid oxidation of diphenylmethane

The kinetics of the chromic acid oxidation of diphenylmethane in aqueous acetic acid solution has been studied. The rate law is v = k[φCH₂φ][CrO₃]h₀ a kinetic isotope effect, k_H/k_D = 6·4 at 30°, was noted, and electron releasing groups were found to moderately facilitate the reaction (⁺ = −1·17). These, and related data, suggest that the initial reaction is the abstraction of a hydrogen atom forming a benzhydryl radical. The latter may then be further oxidized to give the product, benzphenone. It is noted that the chromic acid oxidations which must involve hydrogen abstraction all show a kinetic dependence on the total chromium (VI) concentration, whereas those which are believed to proceed via an ester mechanism have a kinetic dependence on only the acid chromate ion. This difference is suggested as a possible method of distinguishing between these two mechanisms. The effect of the water content of the solvent on the rate of the reaction is discussed, and a tentative, relative, H₋ scale for some of these solutions is suggested. This may permit one to determine the number of molecules of water which are involved in a reaction.     

State-selected reaction and relaxation of CH with H2

The state-selected reaction of CH(X₂Πν″ = 0, 1) with H₂ has been studied, in which CH was generated by IRMPD of a precursor gas, CH₃OH. The subsequent evolution of CH (ν″ = 0, 1) was monitored by the sensitive LIF technique. For the ground state and vibrationally excited state CH, the reaction with H₂ is found to depend on the total pressure in the sample cell at room temperature, which suggests that the reaction proceeds through an intermediate adduct, CH₃. The backward dissociation process is found to depend on the buffer pressure, which can be rationalized via a collision-induced backward dissociation. The decay rates of CH (ν″ = 0, 1) due to collisions with H₂ and Ar at a buffer pressure of 10 Torr are k_H2 (ν″ = 1) = (2.3±0.1) × 10⁻¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k_Ar (ν″ = 1) = (4.4±0.1) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Possible effects of the vibrational excitation on the reaction rate of CH (ν″ = 1) are discussed.     

Far-UV laser flash photolysis in solution. A study of the chemistry of 1,1-dimethylsilene in hydrocarbon solvents

The far-UV (193 nm) laser flash photolysis of nitrogen-saturated isooctane solutions of 1,1-dimethylsiletane allows the direct detection of 1,1-dimethylsilene as a transient species, which (at low laser intensities) decays with pseudo-first-order kinetics (τ 10 μs) and exhibits a UV absorption spectrum with λ_max 255 nm. Characteristic rapid quenching is observed for the silene with methanol (k_McOH = (4.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), tert-butanol (k_BuOH = (1.8 ± 0.1) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and oxygen (k_O2 = (2.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). The Arrhenius activation parameters for the reaction with methanol have been determined to be E_a = −2.6 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹ and log A = 7.7 ± 0.3.     

Electron transfer in organometallic clusters : XI. Redox chemistry of M3(CO)12(M = Ru, Os) and PPh3 derivatives; mechanism of catalysed nucleophilic substitution

The generality of a two-electron reduction process involving an mechanism has been established for M₃(CO)₁₂ and M₃(CO)₁₂−n(PPh₃)_n (M = Ru, Os) clusters in all solvents. Detailed coulometric and spectral studies in CH₂Cl₂ provide strong evidence for the formation of an ‘opened’ M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ species the triangulo radical anions M₃(CO)₁₂^−· having a half-life of < 10⁻⁶ s in CH₂Cl₂. However, the electrochemical response is sensitive to the presence of water and is concentration dependent. An electrochemical response for “opened” M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ is only detected at low concentrations < 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ and under drybox conditions. The electroactive species ground at higher concentrations and in the presence of water M₃(CO)₁₁²⁻ and M₆(CO)₁₈²⁻ were confirmed by a study of the electrochemistry of these anions in CH₂Cl₂; HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is not a product. The couple [M₆(CO)₁₈]^−/2− is chemically reversible under certain conditions but oxidation of HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is chemically irreversible. Different electrochemical behaviour for Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is found when [PPN][X] (X = OAc⁻, Cl⁻) salts are supporting electrolytes. In these solutions formation of the ultimate electroactive species [μ-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₀]⁻ at the electrode is stopped under CO or at low temperatures but Ru₃(CO)₁₂^−· is still trapped by reversible attack by X presumably as [η¹-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₁]⁻. It is shown that electrode-initiated electron catalysed substitution of M₃(CO)₁₂ only takes place on the electrochemical timescale when M = Ru, but it is slow, inefficient and non-selective, whereas BPK-initiated nucleophilic substitution of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is only specific and fast in ether solvents particulary THF. Metal---metal bond cleavage is the most important influence on the rate and specificity of catalytic substitution by electron or [PPN]-initiation. The redox chemistry of M₃(CO)₁₂ clusters (M = Fe, Ru, Os) is a consequence of the relative rates of metal---metal bond dissociation, metal-metal bond strength and ligand dissociation and in many aspects resembles their photochemistry.