A two-state reactivity rationale for counterintuitive axial ligand effects on the C-H activation reactivity of nonheme FeIV=O oxidants

This paper addresses the observation of counterintuitive reactivity patterns of iron-oxo reagents, TMC(L)FeO(2+,1+); L=CH(3)CN, CF(3)CO(2) (-), N(3) (-), and SR(-), in O-transfer to phosphines versus H-abstraction from, for example, 1,4-cyclohexadiene. Experiments show that O-transfer reactivity correlates with the electrophilicity of the oxidant, but H-abstraction reactivity follows an opposite trend. DFT/B3 LYP calculations reveal that two-state reactivity (TSR) serves as a compelling rationale for these trends, whereby all reactions involve two adjacent spin-states of the iron(IV)-oxo species, triplet and quintet. The ground state triplet surface has high barriers, whereas the excited state quintet surface features lower ones. The barriers, on any single surface, are found to increase as the electrophilicity of TMC(L)FeO(2+,1+) decreases. Thus, the counterintuitive behavior of the H-abstraction reactions cannot be explained by considering the reactivity of only a single spin state but can be rationalized by a TSR model in which the reactions proceed on the two surfaces. Two TSR models are outlined: one is traditional involving a variable transmission coefficient for crossover from triplet to quintet, followed by quintet-state reactions; the other considers the net barrier as a blend of the triplet and quintet barriers. The blending coefficient (x), which estimates the triplet participation, increases as the quintet-triplet energy gap of the TMC(L)FeO(2+,1+) reagent increases, in the following order of L: CH(3)CN > CF(3)CO(2) (-) > N(3) (-) > SR(-). The calculated barriers predict the dichotomic experimental trends and the counterintuitive behavior of the H-abstraction series. The TSR approaches make a variety of testable predictions.     

Photonics of 18-crown-6-containing styryl dye and its complexes with metal cations

Using absorption, luminescence, ¹H NMR, and laser kinetic spectroscopies, the photophysical processes and photochemical reactions of 4-[(E)-2-(2,3,5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-decahydro-1,4,7,10,13,16-benzohexaoxacyclooctadecin-18-yl)vinyl]-1-ethylpyridinium perchlorate and its complexes with lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, barium, silver, and lead perchlorates in MeCN have been studied. The styryl dye and its complexes with metal cations are capable of emitting normal (prompt) and delayed fluorescence and enter into the trans–cis photoisomerization reaction. The dye molecules in the triplet state participate in the processes of degradation of electronic excitation energy. Triplet–triplet absorption is observed only in the presence of lead cations with a maximum at 470 nm and the deactivation rate constant of the triplet state k = 2.5 × 10⁴ s^–1 in a deoxygenated solution.     

The effect of the migrating group structure on enantioselectivity in lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of 1-phenylethanol

We have studied the effects of the acyl moiety on the enantioselectivity of three lipases: Candida antarctica B, Pseudomonas cepacia and Candida cylindracea, frequently used in kinetic resolutions by acylation or hydrolysis. The size of the acyl group was examined using various enol esters during the transesterification of 1-phenylethanol and the hydrolysis of the corresponding phenylethylesters. C. antarctica-B lipase showed the highest selectivity in the transesterification of 1-phenylethanol with isopropenyl and vinyl acetate, vinyl decanoate, vinyl laurate, (E > 200). The esters 1-phenyl -ethyl-acetate, decanoate and laurate are also hydrolyzed with high selectivities (E > 150) with CAL-B. The results can be correlated to the three-dimensional form of each lipase. The effect of the migrating group on the reactivity and selectivity of the lipases are discussed for both reactions.     

Thiol-ene click chemistry: computational and kinetic analysis of the influence of alkene functionality

The influence of alkene functionality on the energetics and kinetics of radical initiated thiol-ene click chemistry has been studied computationally at the CBS-QB3 level. Relative energetics (ΔH°, ΔH(?), ΔG°, ΔG(?)) have been determined for all stationary points along the step-growth mechanism of thiol-ene reactions between methyl mercaptan and a series of 12 alkenes: propene, methyl vinyl ether, methyl allyl ether, norbornene, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, butadiene, methyl(vinyl)silanediamine, methyl crotonate, dimethyl fumarate, styrene, and maleimide. Electronic structure calculations reveal the underlying factors that control activation barriers for propagation and chain-transfer processes of the step-growth mechanism. Results are further extended to predict rate constants for forward and reverse propagation and chain-transfer steps (k(P), k(-P), k(CT), k(-CT)) and used to model overall reaction kinetics. A relationship between alkene structure and reactivity in thiol-ene reactions is derived from the results of kinetic modeling and can be directly related to the relative energetics of stationary points obtained from electronic structure calculations. The results predict the order of reactivity of alkenes and have broad implications for the use and applications of thiol-ene click chemistry.     

Singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces of C3H2

The detailed singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces of C₃H₂ involving nine isomers and 13 transition structures are studied at the G3 level of theory. The rearrangement mechanisms and the electronic properties of various isomers in a broad energy range have been studied in both singlet and triplet states. Cyclopropenylidene and propargylene are found to be the most stable isomers in the singlet and triplet states, respectively. The singlet isomers are found to be more kinetically stable species as a result of high conversion barriers through which they pass. The calculations indicate that cyclopropyne in its triplet state is the least kinetically stable isomer. It is realized that the G3 method comprises both computational cost and accuracy and thus can be applied to investigation of potential energy surface of small molecules.     

Zero-field optically detected magnetic resonance of model compounds for pheophytins

ZFS parameters and kinetic constants of the lowest triplet state of chlorin and tetraphenylchlorin free base in n-octane have been determined by fluorescence-detected ODMR at 4.2 K. These compounds can be considered as model compounds for pheophytin, a compound of biological interest. For both compounds the middle spin-level is the most active one in the populating and depopulating pathway. In the lowest triplet state the NHNH axis in both chlorins is probably fixed to one orientation not involving the reduced ring, and no evidence was found for the occurrence of two tautomeric forms as in the corresponding porphyrins.     

Photonics of dimers of cyanine dyes

The results of study on the properties of dimers of thiamonomethine-and thiatrimethinecyanines (thiacarbocyanines) in the ground and electronically excited states in aqueous solutions are presented. Dimers of cyanine dyes have the sandwiched structure with near-parallel alignment of the polymethine chains of the monomers in the dimer. The formation of dimers is manifested by two absorption bands of different intensities due to splitting of the S* level of the monomers upon their resonance interaction. Dimers of thiacarbocyanines are characterized by a low fluorescence quantum yield φ_fl as compared to monomers; however, φ_fl of dimers of thiamonomethinecyanines are markedly higher than that of monomers. Dimers of cyanine dyes are also characterized by a relatively high quantum yield of intersystem crossing to the triplet state. In the triplet-triplet absorption spectra, two bands of different intensities are revealed, which are due to the splitting of the higher triplet level of the monomers that form the dimer. In the presence of electron donors (ascorbic acid, hydroquinone) and/or acceptors (p-benzoquinone, p-nitroacetophenone, methylviologen), the triplet state of dimers is quenched as a result of electron transfer yielding radical products. Dimers in the triplet state can serve as photosensitizers of redox reactions.     

Low-temperature EPR study of radical cations of vinyl ethers in a Freon matrix

Using low-temperature EPR the transformations of radical cations of aliphatic vinyl ethers radiolytically generated in a Freon matrix have been investigated. Three-line spectra found at 77 K [hfs constants of 1.5 mT (1H) and 2.2 mT (1H)] and at 95 K [1.9–2.1 mT (2H)] were attributed to the radical cation. A quartet was observed at 130 K, usually with binomial intensities [hfs constants of 1.3 mT (3H)] and a triplet [1.7–1.9 mT (2H)] was found after cooling samples back to 95 K. The conversion of the quartet to the triplet was found to be thermally reversible and both spectra are assigned to different states of a (distonic) dimer cation.     

Ab initio MO study of potential energy surface of NH2 with CN reaction

An extensive quantum chemical study of the potential energy surfaces (PES) for the association reaction of NH₂ with CN and the subsequent isomerization and dissociation reactions has been carried out using density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP/6‐311++G(3df,2p) level of theory on both singlet and triplet states. The reaction mechanism on the triplet surface is more complicated than that on the singlet surface. A total of 19 isomers and 46 transition states have been identified and characterized on the triplet PES. Among them, IM2 (IM2a), IM3 (IM3a, IM3b), and IM10 are the lowest‐lying isomers with thermodynamic stability. Twenty available dissociation channels, depending on the different initial isomers, have been identified. On the singlet surface, only 12 isomers and 16 transition states have been found, and among them IM1(S) and IM2(S) are the lowest‐lying isomers. The higher isomerization and dissociation barriers on the singlet surface indicate that the addition and the subsequent reactions of NH₂+CN are most likely to occur on the triplet PES because of the lower barriers. A prediction can be made for the possible mechanism explaining the production of H+HNCN. Besides HNCN, other major products are NH+HCN and NH+HNC, which are produced by direct dissociation reactions from triplet IM2 and IM3, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Theoretical study of C-H and C-F activation in CH4-nFn (n =1-4) molecules by platinum

CASSCF followed by MRMP2 calculations have been carried out to analyze the reactions of a naked platinum atom with the fluorocarbon compounds CH(4-n)Fn (n = 1-4). For each of these interactions the potential-energy surfaces which correlate with the triplet ground state and the first excited singlet state of the free fragments were investigated for representative states evolving from different approaching modes of the reactants. For all the fluorinated fragments activation of the C-H and C-F bonds by the metal is strongly determined by the low-multiplicity channels arising from the first excited asymptote. Although stable products are predicted for insertion of the metallic atom into both the C-H and the C-F bonds of the different fluorocarbon compounds, comparison between the calculated energy barriers for reactions taking place in the same fluorinated molecule suggests in all cases a kinetic preference for the C-H bond oxidative addition to the platinum atom.     

Phosphorescence of carbonyl compounds produced by thermal and photo-oxidation of polybutadiene

Using phosphorescence analysis, the energy levels of the triplet states of some of the macrocarbonyl molecules formed in the photo-oxidation of commercial polybutadiene (48% trans, 42% cis and 10% vinyl) have been determined. The triplet energy levels of 26 additives were also determined so that predictions could be made regarding the probable efficiencies of these additives for quenching the excited states of the carbonyl species. These predictions have been substantiated by the observation of triplet-triplet quenching of a model α,β-unsaturated ketone in the solid state by one of the commercial u.v. stabilizers with a low-lying triplet energy level.     

Copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride and vinyl acetate

The free-radical copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with vinyl acetate in DMSO, methanol, and a methanol-water (70: 30, mol %) mixture proceeds to yield statistical copolymers. The nature of solvents significantly affects the reactivity ratios of the comonomers. N,N-Diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride shows a higher reactivity than vinyl acetate. The kinetic features of the processes have been investigated, and the structure and properties of the copolymers have been studied.     

Theoretical study on the reaction of VS+(3∑-, 1Γ) with CO

Two possible reaction mechanisms of VS (3Ε-, 1Γ) with CO in the gas phase have been studied by using B3LYP/TZVP and CCSD(T)/6-311 G (3df, 3pd) methods: the O/S exchange reaction (VS CO → VO CS) and the S-transfer reaction (VS CO → V COS). The two reactions proceed via two-step and one-step mechanism, respectively. The barriers of the triplet and singlet PESs are 30.6 and 50.9 kcal/mol, respectively, for O/S exchange reaction and 7.3 and 50.2 kcal/mol, respectively, for the S-transfer reaction. The results indicate that the triplet ground state reaction is more favorable, and the S-transfer reaction is more favorable than the O/S exchange reaction, which is in good agreement with the experimental observation.     

Mapping the triplet potential energy surface of 1-methyl-8-nitronaphthalene

Spin-unrestricted calculations and time-dependent DFT were used to characterize structure and reactivity of 1-methyl-8-nitronaphthalene (1) in the triplet state. Four hybrid models (B3LYP, PBE0, MPW1K, BHLYP) with significantly different amount of the exact exchange were employed. The triplet potential energy surface of 1 was mapped by using the UB3LYP and UMPW1K techniques. Both hybrid models provided qualitatively consistent pictures for the potential energy landscape. Thirty-one stationary points, of which 15 were minima, were found at the UB3LYP level of theory. Three minima corresponding to the nitro form of 1 were located on the triplet surface; just one was found for the singlet ground state. Two reaction paths leading from 1 either to a nitrite-type intermediate (2) or to the aci-form (3) were characterized. For both paths, reaction products were of diradical nature. The lower activation energy was obtained for the triplet-state tautomerization affording 3. The ground state of triplet multiplicity was predicted for two isomers of the aci-form. The triplet diradical 3 is expected to react through the thermal population of a close-lying singlet excited state. The results are discussed in relation to mechanisms of photoinduced rearrangements of peri-substituted nitronaphthalenes that can be used to develop novel photolabile protecting groups.     

Electron transfer as the initiation mechanism of photocurable maleimide–vinyl ether based resins

Maleimide–vinyl ether resins polymerise upon UV irradiation without the addition of a photoinitiator. The first step of initiation is an electron transfer from a ground state vinyl ether molecule to the triplet maleimide. Absolute rate constants for the reaction of triplet maleimide (λ_max=260 and 320 nm) with maleimide itself, unsaturated monomers, inorganic ions, and alcohols were determined by laser flash photolysis. The mechanisms (electron and hydrogen transfer, depending on the substrate) are identified by FT-EPR.     

Mechanism of dehydrochlorination of 2,2-diaryl-1,1,1-trichloroethanes with nitrite and halide anions

The reactivity of 2,2-diphenyl-1,1,1-trichloroethane toward halide ions in dipolar aprotic solvents has been studied, and the mechanisms of its reactions with nitrite and halide ions have been compared. The results of kinetic and DFT quantum chemical studies suggest a common bimolecular elimination mechanism for both dehydrochlorination reactions.     

Computational study of cycloaddition reactions of 16-electron d8 ML4 complexes with C60

The potential energy surfaces of the cycloaddition reactions M(CO)(4) + C(60) → (CO)(4)M(C(60)) (M = Fe, Ru, and Os) have been studied at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. It has been found that these reactions have two competing pathways, which can be classified as a [6,5]-attack (path A) and a [6,6]-attack (path B). Our B3LYP results suggest that, given the same reaction conditions, the [6,6]-attack is more favorable than the [6,5]-attack both kinetically and thermodynamically. A qualitative model based on the theory of Pross and Shaik has been used to develop an explanation for the barrier heights. As a consequence, the theoretical findings indicate that the singlet-triplet splitting ΔE(st) (=E(triplet) - E(singlet)) of the 16-electron d(8) M(CO)(4) and C(60) species can be used as a guide to predict their reactivity toward cycloaddition. Our computational results reveal that the reactivity of d(8) M(CO)(4) cycloaddition to C(60) decreases in the order Fe(CO)(4) > Os(CO)(4) > Ru(CO)(4). Accordingly, we demonstrate that both electronic and geometric effects play a crucial role in determining the energy barriers as well as the reaction enthalpy.     

Computational study on the mechanism of N-phenylimine derivatives’ pyrolysis reaction in the gas phase

In this work, quantum chemistry and kinetics calculations have been performed on the retro-cheletropic ene reactions of N-phenyl-1-methyl-6-methylenecyclohexa-2,4-dienylmethanimine (R1) and N-phenyl-2,2-dimethylbut-3-en (R2). Two major possible mechanisms have been considered and rate constants have been calculated using the transition state theory. The simple Wigner, Eckart zero-curvature tunneling and small-curvature tunneling (SCT) methods were evaluated. The best agreement with experimental rate coefficients was found when SCT correction was applied. A mean deviation of a factor 3 on the rate coefficients is found for the studied reactions at the temperatures of 417 and 773 K. Calculated rate coefficients showed that the tunneling corrections played a critical role in obtaining accurate rate coefficients, especially at lower temperature (417 K). Calculated rate coefficients are in good agreement with the reported experimental data and similar compounds in the case of R1 and R2, respectively. These results support the concerted and stepwise paths for the gas phase reactions of R1 and R2, respectively. Computed kinetic parameters confirmed that R1 had greater reactivity than R2. This trend explains the effects of an extra phenyl-like system on the stability of the transition state and hence increases the R1 rate constant. Calculated rate constants especially at the M06 level are in better agreement with the experimental values than the B3LYP ones. Natural bond orbital (NBO) studies of the reactants and their transition states reveal that their electron delocalization change is an important factor in the determination of the reactivity order for these compounds. Finally, the nature of bond making and breaking during the reactions has been investigated using the concepts of electron charge density and Laplacian in atom in the molecule method.     

Studies on the radiolytically produced transients of neutral red: triplet and reduced radicals

The spectral and kinetic properties of reduced radicals and the triplet state of neutral red (NR), a phenazine-based dye, have been investigated using pulse radiolysis technique. A mixed water-isopropanol-acetone solvent has been used to study the reduced radicals of NR for a wide pH range of about 1-13, due to limitation of solubility of the dye in aqueous solutions particularly above pH 8. From pH-dependent absorption studies it has been established that the reduced radicals of NR can exist in four different prototropic forms in solution. Three pKa values for the corresponding prototropic equilibria have been estimated. The formation and decay rate constants of reduced radicals have also been measured. The triplet state characteristics of the dye have been investigated in neat benzene solutions, both in the presence and in the absence of triplet sensitizers. The T1-->Tn absorption spectrum and decay kinetics of the triplet state have been measured. The triplet state energy (ET) of NR in benzene have been estimated to be within 36-42 kcal mol-1, using an energy transfer method.     

三线态二苯基卡宾的动力学稳定效应

通过对二苯基重氮甲烷进行光照射产生了一系列于邻位和对位具有不同大小取代基的三线态二苯基卡宾.用紫外可见光谱对其进行了直接观察,并利用激光闪光光解法测定了三线态二苯基卡宾在室温脱氧苯溶液中的寿命,由此表明在邻位和对位里引入庞大的取代基对三线态二苯基卡宾具有更好的稳定效应.