What Controls the Magnetic Interaction in bis‐μ‐Alkoxo MnIII Dimers? A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Exploration

The synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of bis‐μ‐alkoxide bridged Mn^III dinuclear complexes of general formula [Mn^III₂(μ‐OR)₂(biphen)₂(ROH)_x(L)_y] (where R=Me, Et; H₂biphen=2,2′‐biphenol and L=terminally bonded N‐donor ligand) is described, doubling the literature basis set for this type of complex. Building on these findings we have categorised all known μ‐OR bridged Mn^III dinuclear complexes into one of three classifications with respect to their molecular structures. We have then employed DFT and MO calculations to assess all potential magneto‐structural correlations for this class of compound in order to identify the structural requirements for constructing ferromagnetic family members. Our analysis indicates that the most influential parameter which governs the exchange interaction in this class of compounds is the relative orientation of the JT axes of the Mn^III atoms. A perpendicular orientation of the JT axes leads to a large ferromagnetic contribution to the exchange. These results also suggest that a large ferromagnetic interaction and a large anisotropy are unlikely to co‐exist in such structural types.     

Are Triphenylamine‐Functionalized or Carbazole‐Functionalized Iridium Complexes the More Effective Phosphorescent Materials? A Theoretical Perspective

The ground and excited states, charge injection/transport, and phosphorescence properties of eleven carbazole‐ and triphenylamine‐functionalized Ir^III complexes were investigated by using the DFT method. By analyzing the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) matrix elements, radiative decay rate constants k_r, and the electronic structures and energies at the ${{\rm{S}}_{\rm{0}}^{{\rm{opt}}} }$ and ${{\rm{T}}_{\rm{1}}^{{\rm{opt}}} }$ states, it was possible to rationalize the order of the experimental phosphorescence quantum yields of a series of Ir^III complexes and to predict that [Ir(Nph‐2‐Cz‐tz)₃] has a higher phosphorescence quantum yield than [Ir(TPA‐tz)₃] (TPA=triphenylamine, tz=thiazolyl, Cz=carbazole, Nph=N‐phenyl). Carbazole‐functionalized Ir^III complexes were shown to be efficient phosphorescent materials that have not only fast but also balanced electron/hole‐transport performance as well as high phosphorescence quantum yields. The phosphorescence emission spectra can be modulated by modifying or replacing a pyridyl substituent.     

Theoretical study of the S?H···O blue‐shifted hydrogen bond

Theoretical calculations were performed to study the nature of the hydrogen bonds in the complexes HCHO···HSO, HCOOH···HSO, HCHO···HOO, and HCOOH···HOO. The geometric structures and vibrational frequencies of these four complexes at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p) and MP2/6‐311+G(d,p) levels are calculated by standard and counterpoise‐corrected methods, respectively. The results indicate that in the complexes HCHO···HSO and HCOOH···HSO the S? H bond is strongly contracted. In the S? H···O hydrogen bonds, the calculated blue shifts for the S? H stretching frequencies are in the vicinity of 50 cm^?1. While in the complexes HCHO···HOO and HCOOH···HOO, the O? H bond is elongated and O? H···O red‐shifted hydrogen bonds are found. From the natural bond orbital analysis it can be seen that the X? H bond length in the X? H···Y hydrogen bond is controlled by a balance of four main factors in the opposite directions: hyperconjugation, electron density redistribution, rehybridization, and structural reorganization. Among them hyperconjugation has the effect of elongating the X? H bond. Electron density redistribution and rehybridization belong to the bond shortening effects, while structural reorganization has an uncertain influence on the X? H bond length. In the complexes HCHO···HSO and HCOOH···HSO, the shortening effects dominate which lead to the blue shift of the S? H stretching frequencies. In the complexes HCHO···HOO and HCOOH···HOO where elongating effects are dominant, the O? H···O hydrogen bonds are red‐shifted. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Evidence for d‐Orbital Aromaticity in Sn‐ and Pb‐Based Clusters: Is Sn2‐12 Aromatic?

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.     

Does the Sign of the Cu–Gd Magnetic Interaction Depend on the Number of Atoms in the Bridge?

Several theoretical investigations with CASSCF methods confirm that the magnetic behavior of Cu–Gd complexes can only be reproduced if the 5d Gd orbitals are included in the active space. These orbitals, expected to be unoccupied, do present a low spin density, which is mainly due to a spin polarization effect. This theory is strengthened by the experimental results reported herein. We demonstrate that Cu–Gd complexes characterized by Cu–Gd interactions through single‐oxygen and three‐atom bridges consisting of oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen atoms, present weak ferromagnetic exchange interactions, whereas complexes with bridges made of two atoms, such as the nitrogen–oxygen oximato bridge, are subject to weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. Therefore, a bridge with an odd number of atoms induces a weak ferromagnetic exchange interaction, whereas a bridge with an even number of atoms supports a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction, as observed in pure organic compounds and also, as in this case, in metal–organic compounds with an active spin polarization effect.     

Isocyanide in Biochemistry? A Theoretical Investigation of the Electronic Effects and Energetics of Cyanide Ligand Protonation in [FeFe]‐Hydrogenases

The presence of Fe‐bound cyanide ligands in the active site of the proton‐reducing enzymes [FeFe]‐hydrogenases has led to the hypothesis that such Brønsted–Lowry bases could be protonated during the catalytic cycle, thus implying that hydrogen isocyanide (HNC) might have a relevant role in such crucial microbial metabolic paths. We present a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) study of the energetics of CN^? protonation in the enzyme, and of the effects that cyanide protonation can have on [FeFe]‐hydrogenase active sites. A detailed analysis of the electronic properties of the models and of the energy profile associated with H₂ evolution clearly shows that such protonation is dysfunctional for the catalytic process. However, the inclusion of the protein matrix surrounding the active site in our QM/MM models allowed us to demonstrate that the amino acid environment was finely selected through evolution, specifically to lower the Brønsted–Lowry basicity of the cyanide ligands. In fact, the conserved hydrogen‐bonding network formed by these ligands and the neighboring amino acid residues is able to impede CN^? protonation, as shown by the fact that the isocyanide forms of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases do not correspond to stationary points on the enzyme QM/MM potential‐energy surface.     

Dynamic Equilibria in Solvent‐Mediated Anion,Cation and Ligand Exchange in Transition‐Metal Coordination Polymers: Solid‐State Transfer or Recrystallisation?

The solution properties of a series of transition‐metal–ligand coordination polymers [ML(X)_n]_∞ [M=Ag^I, Zn^II, Hg^II and Cd^II; L=4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy), pyrazine (pyz), 3,4′‐bipyridine (3,4′‐bipy), 4‐(10‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)anthracen‐9‐yl)pyridine (anbp); X=NO₃^?, CH₃COO^?, CF₃SO₃^?, Cl^?, BF₄^?; n=1 or 2] in the presence of competing anions, metal cations and ligands have been investigated systematically. Providing that the solubility of the starting complex is sufficiently high, all the components of the coordination polymer, namely the anion, the cation and the ligand, can be exchanged on contact with a solution phase of a competing component. The solubility of coordination polymers is a key factor in the analysis of their reactivity and this solubility depends strongly on the physical properties of the solvent and on its ability to bind metal cations constituting the backbone of the coordination polymer. The degree of reversibility of these solvent‐induced anion‐exchange transformations is determined by the ratio of the solubility product constants for the starting and resultant complexes, which in turn depend upon the choice of solvent and the temperature. The extent of anion exchange is controlled effectively by the ratio of the concentrations of incoming ions to outgoing ions in the liquid phase and the solvation of various constituent components comprising the coordination polymer. These observations can be rationalised in terms of a dynamic equilibrium of ion exchange reactions coupled with Ostwald ripening of crystalline products. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of [Ag(pyz)ClO₄]_∞ ( 1 ), {[Ag(4,4′‐bipy)(CF₃SO₃)] ? CH₃CN}_∞ ( 2 ), {[Ag(4,4′‐bipy)(CH₃CN)]ClO₄ ? 0.5 CH₃CN}_∞ ( 3 ), metal‐free anbp ( 4 ), [Ag(anbp)NO₃(H₂O)]_∞ ( 5 ), {[Cd(4,4′‐bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ ? 4 H₂O}_∞ ( 6 ) and {[Zn(4,4′‐bipy)SO₄(H₂O)₃] ? 2 H₂O}_∞ ( 7 ) are reported.     

Theoretical Studies of the Asymmetric Binary‐Acid‐Catalyzed tert‐Aminocyclization Reaction: Origins of the C?H Activation and Stereoselectivity

A mechanistic study of the tert‐aminocyclization reaction was performed by using DFT calculations and labeling experiments. The results showed that the reaction proceeded through a rate‐limiting‐, stereospecific‐, and suprafacial 1,5‐H‐transfer pathway, followed by a barrier‐less C? C bond formation. The mode of stereocontrol for facial selection could be ruled out owing to the high activation energy of C? N bond rotation. The intrinsic feature of this Lewis acid activation was found to be the activation of the LUMO, as well as an intermediate‐stabilization effect. The catalytically active species was believed to be a 1:1 complex of phosphoric acid and MgCl₂, which was stabilized by a H???Cl hydrogen bond. The chiral catalytic complex selectively recognizes and activates one of the two helical conformations of substrate A , required for 1,5‐suprafacial H‐transfer, which dictates the stereoselectivity of the forming products.     

What is the Nature of the First‐Formed Intermediates in the Electrophilic Halogenation of Alkenes,Alkynes, and Allenes?

The pi complexes first formed as essential intermediates from alkenes, alkynes, and allenes with bromine have been investigated in different solvents by UV-spectroscopy in combination with stopped-flow techniques allowing the determination of the equilibrium constants, K(f). Using alkenes with sterically protected double bonds, such as di-tert-butylstilbene and tetraneopentylethylene, the reaction stops at the stage of the 1:1 and 1:2 pi complex of the alkene with bromine as persistent species in 1,2-dichlorethane as solvent. Calculations by state-of-art ab initio and DFT methods reproduces the experimentally determined thermodynamic values quite well, and reveal the preferred structures and nature of both complexes for ethene, ethyne, and allene. Consideration of the entropy term reveals that complexes are stabilized in solution owing to reduction of the entropy loss by restricted translations and rotation. According to calculations these species are Mulliken-outer-type complexes with no or little charge transfer from bromine to the double or triple bond, respectively. The 1:2 complex has a close structural relationship to the bromonium- or bromirenium ion, which is the subsequent intermediate on the reaction coordinate. Steric influences show a strong effect on the K(f) value, which can be explained by the polarizibility of the parent system. Addition-elimination often occurs. In bromination of adamantylidenadamantane and its derivatives the reaction stops at the stage of the bromonium ion. The effect of various polar groups situated in equatorial homoallyl positions on the stability of corresponding pi complex and bromonium ion has been studied in this series.     

Does Urea Alter the Collective Hydrogen‐Bond Dynamics in Water? A Dielectric Relaxation Study in the Terahertz‐Frequency Region

We report the ultrafast collective hydrogen‐bond dynamics of water in the extended hydration layer of urea by using terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy in the frequency region of 0.3–2.0 THz. The complex dielectric function has been fitted using a Debye relaxation model, and the timescales obtained are in the order of approximately 9 ps and 200 fs for bulk water; this exhibits a considerable acceleration beyond the 4 M urea concentration and indicates a possible disruption in the collective hydrogen‐bonded water‐network structure, which, in turn, provides an indirect support for the water “structure‐breaking” ability of urea. With 5 M urea in the presence of different concentrations of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), it was found that these parameters essentially follow the trend observed for TMAO itself, which signifies that any possible disruption of the water structure by urea is outdone by the strong hydrogen‐bonding ability of TMAO, which explains its ability to revive urea‐denatured proteins to their respective native states.     

What controls the magnetic interaction in bis-μ-alkoxo Mn(III) dimers? A combined experimental and theoretical exploration

The synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of bis-μ-alkoxide bridged Mn(III) dinuclear complexes of general formula [Mn(III)(2)(μ-OR)(2)(biphen)(2)(ROH)(x)(L)(y)] (where R = Me, Et; H(2) biphen = 2,2'-biphenol and L = terminally bonded N-donor ligand) is described, doubling the literature basis set for this type of complex. Building on these findings we have categorised all known μ-OR bridged Mn(III) dinuclear complexes into one of three classifications with respect to their molecular structures. We have then employed DFT and MO calculations to assess all potential magneto-structural correlations for this class of compound in order to identify the structural requirements for constructing ferromagnetic family members. Our analysis indicates that the most influential parameter which governs the exchange interaction in this class of compounds is the relative orientation of the JT axes of the Mn(III) atoms. A perpendicular orientation of the JT axes leads to a large ferromagnetic contribution to the exchange. These results also suggest that a large ferromagnetic interaction and a large anisotropy are unlikely to co-exist in such structural types.     

Characterization of the N?H···ON and N?H···NO H‐bonds in nitrosamine dimers

Ab initio molecular orbital and DFT calculations have been carried out for three most stable dimers of parent nitrosamine (NA) in order to elucidate the structures and energetics of the dimers. The structures were optimized using HF, B3LYP, and MP2 methods with 6‐311+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(2d,2p) basis sets. At the optimized geometries obtained at MP2/6‐311++G(2d,2p) level of theory, the energies were evaluated at QCISD/aug‐cc‐pVDZ and CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVDZ levels. The most stable dimer has two N? H···O?N hydrogen bonds and the least stable dimer has two N? H···N?O hydrogen bonds. The natural bond orbital analysis showed that the lpO(N) → BD*(N? N) and lpO(N) → BD*(N? H_b) interactions play a decisive role in the stabilization of the NH···O(N) hydrogen bonds in dimers. The atoms in molecules results reveal that the intermolecular N? H···O(N) H‐bonds in dimers have electrostatic character. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

N?H···S and S?H···N intramolecular hydrogen bond in β‐thioaminoacrolein: A quantum chemical study

The conformational study of β‐thioaminoacrolein was performed at various theoretical levels, HF, B3LYP, and MP2 with 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set, and the equilibrium conformations were determined. To have more reliable energies, the total energies of all conformers were recomputed at high‐level ab initio methods, G2MP2, G3, and CBS‐QB3. According to these calculations, the intramolecular hydrogen bond is accepted as the origin of conformational preference in thialamine (TAA) and thiolimine groups. The hydrogen bond strength in various resonance‐assisted hydrogen bond systems was evaluated by HB energy, geometrical parameters, topological parameters, and charge transfers corresponding to orbital interactions. Furthermore, our results reveal that the TAA tautomer has extra stability with respect to the other tautomers. The population analyses of the possible conformations by NBO predict that the origin of this preference is mainly due to the π‐electron delocalization in framework of TAA forms, especially usual π_C?C → π*_C?S and Lp (N) → π*_C?C charge transfers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Hydrogen-Bond-Assisted Diels–Alder Kinetics or Self-Healing in Reversible Polymer Networks? A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Diels–Alder (DA) cycloadditions in reversible polymer networks are important for designing sustainable materials with self-healing properties. In this study, the DA kinetics of hydroxyl-substituted bis- and tetrafunctional furans with bis- and tris-functional maleimides, both containing ether-functionalized spacers, is investigated by modelling two equilibria representing the endo and exo cycloadduct formation. Concretely, the potential catalysis of the DA reaction through hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl of the furans and carbonyl of the maleimides or ether of the spacers is experimentally and theoretically scrutinized. Initial reaction rates and forward DA rate constants are determined by microcalorimetry at 20 °C for a model series of reversible networks, extended with (i) a hydroxyl-free network and hydroxyl-free linear or branched systems, and (ii) polypropylene glycol additives, increasing the hydroxyl concentration. A computational density-functional theory study is carried out on the endo and exo cycloadditions of furan and maleimide derivatives, representative for the experimental ones, in the absence and presence of ethylene glycol as additive. Additionally, an ester-substituted furan was investigated as a hydroxyl-free system for comparison. Experiment and theory indicate that the catalytic effect of H-bonding is absent or very limited. While increased concentration of H-bonding could in theory catalyze the DA reaction, the experimental results rule out this supposition.