Ab initio studies on nanoscale friction between graphite layers: effect of model size and level of theory

Ab initio methods were used to investigate the nanoscale friction between two graphite layers placed in contact. The interaction energies were calculated for four two-layer models in series, C(6(n+1))2H(6n+1))-C(6)(n)2H(6)(n) with n = 1, 2, 3, and 4, and additionally for C(54)H(18)-C(6)H(6) and C(150)H(30)-C(6)H(6). The study was done with the Hartree-Fock method using basis sets 3-21G and 6-31G and with the second-order M?ller-Plesset theory using basis set 6-31G. A density functional method (B3PW91) was also tested for reference purposes. The main interest was how the model size and level of theory affect the nanoscale friction coefficient. Most of the calculated friction coefficients fell within the range of values of 0.07-0.14.     

Fluoroaryl-substituted aminoalane dimers: syntheses and structures

Six dimeric aminoalanes of formula [Me(2)Al-mu-N(H)Ar(F)](2)(Ar(F)= 4-C(6)H(4)F (1), 2-C(6)H(4)F (2), 3,5-C(6)H(3)F(2)(3), 2,3,4,5-C(6)HF(4)(4), 2,3,5,6-C(6)HF(4)(5) and C(6)F(5)(6)) have been prepared by treatment of the appropriate fluoroaniline with AlMe(3) in toluene solution at 25 degrees C. The structures of 1-6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Halogenated benzene cation radicals

The halogenated benzenes C(6)HF(5), 2,4,6-C(6)H(3)F(3), 2,3,5,6-C(6)H(2)F(4), C(6)F(6), C(6)Cl(6), C(6)Br(6), and C(6)I(6) were converted into their corresponding cation radicals by using various strong oxidants. The cation-radical salts were isolated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal stability of the cation radicals increased with decreasing hydrogen content. As expected, the cation radicals [C(6)HF(5)](+) and 2,3,5,6-[C(6)H(2)F(4)](+) had structures with the same geometry as C(6)HF(5) and 2,3,5,6-[C(6)H(2)F(4)]. In contrast, the cation radicals [C(6)F(6)](+), [C(6)Cl(6)](+), and possibly also [C(6)Br(6)](+) exhibited Jahn-Teller-distorted geometries in the crystalline state. In the case of C(6)F(6)(+)Sb(2)F(11)(-), two low-symmetry geometries were observed in the same crystal. Interestingly, the structures of the cation radicals 2,4,6-[C(6)H(3)F(3)](+) and C(6)I(6)(+) did not exhibit Jahn-Teller distortions. DFT calculations showed that the explanation for the lack of distortion of these cations from the D(3h) or D(6h) symmetry of the neutral benzene precursor was different for 2,4,6-[C(6)H(3)F(3)](+) than for [C(6)I(6)](+).     

C-F activation of fluorinated arenes using NHC-stabilized nickel(0) complexes: selectivity and mechanistic investigations

The reaction of [Ni2((i)Pr2Im)4(COD)] 1a or [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C2H4)] 1b with different fluorinated arenes is reported. These reactions occur with a high chemo- and regioselectivity. In the case of polyfluorinated aromatics of the type C6F5X such as hexafluorobenzene (X = F) octafluorotoluene (X = CF3), trimethyl(pentafluorophenyl)silane (X = SiMe3), or decafluorobiphenyl (X = C6F5) the C-F activation regioselectively takes place at the C-F bond in the para position to the X group to afford the complexes trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(C6F5)]2, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(CF3)C6F4)] 3, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(C6F5)C6F4)] 4, and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(SiMe3)C6F4)] 5. Complex 5 was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of 1a with partially fluorinated aromatic substrates C6H(x)F(y) leads to the products of a C-F activation trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2-C6FH4)] 7, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(3,5-C6F2H3)] 8, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3-C6F2H3)] 9a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,6-C6F2H3)] 9b, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,5-C6F2H3)] 10, and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3,5,6-C6F4H)] 11. The reaction of 1a with octafluoronaphthalene yields exclusively trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(1,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6a, the product of an insertion into the C-F bond in the 2-position, whereas for the reaction of 1b with octafluoronaphthalene the two isomers trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(1,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6b are formed in a ratio of 11:1. The reaction of 1a or of 1b with pentafluoropyridine at low temperatures affords trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-C5NF4)] 12a as the sole product, whereas the reaction of 1b performed at room temperature leads to the generation of trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-C5NF4)] 12a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2-C5NF4)] 12b in a ratio of approximately 1:2. The detection of intermediates as well as kinetic studies gives some insight into the mechanistic details for the activation of an aromatic carbon-fluorine bond at the {Ni((i)Pr2Im)2} complex fragment. The intermediates of the reaction of 1b with hexafluorobenzene and octafluoronaphthalene, [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C6F6)] 13 and [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C10F8)] 14, have been detected in solution. They convert into the C-F activation products. Complex 14 was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The rates for the loss of 14 at different temperatures for the C-F activation of the coordinated naphthalene are first order and the estimated activation enthalpy Delta H(double dagger) for this process was determined to be Delta H(double dagger) = 116 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1) (Delta S(double dagger) = 37 +/- 25 J K(-1) mol(-1)). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations on the reaction of 1a with hexafluorobenzene, octafluoronaphthalene, octafluorotoluene, 1,2,4-trifluorobenzene, and 1,2,3-trifluorobenzene are presented.     

Syntheses of 1-alkyl-1,2,4-triazoles and the formation of quaternary 1-alkyl-4-polyfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-triazolium salts leading to ionic liquids

1,2,4-triazole was alkylated (alkyl = methyl, butyl, heptyl, decyl) at N-1 in >90% isolated yields. The resulting 1-alkyl triazoles were quaternized at N-4 in >98% isolated yields using fluorinated alkyl halides with >98% isolated yields, under neat reaction conditions at 100-120 degrees C to form N1-CH(3)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-triazolium (Taz) iodide (m = 1, 6), N1-C(4)H(9)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-Taz iodide (m = 1, 4, 6), N1-C(7)H(15)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-Taz iodide (m = 1, 4, 6), N1-C(10)H(21)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+1)-Taz iodide (m = 1, 4), and N1-C(n)H(2)(n )(+ 1)-N4-(CH(2))(2)F-Taz bromide (n = 4, 7, 10). Single-crystal X-ray analyses confirmed the structure of [1-CH(3)-4-CH(2)CH(2)CF(3)-Taz](+)I(-). It crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, and the unit cell dimensions were a = 13.8289(9) A, b = 17.3603(11) A, c = 9.0587(6) A (alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees ). Metathesis of these polyfluoroalkyl-substituted triazolium halides with other salts led to the formation of quaternary compounds, some of which comprise ionic liquids, namely, [R(R(f))-Taz](+)Y(-) (Y = NTf(2), BF(4), PF(6), and OTf), in good isolated yields without the need for further purification: N1-CH(3)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)( +) (1)-Taz Y (m = 1, 6; Y = NTf(2)), N1-C(4)H(9)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-Taz Y (m = 1, 4, 6; Y = NTf(2)), N1- C(7)H(15)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-Taz Y (m = 1, 4, 6; Y = NTf(2)), N1-C(10)H(21)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+1)-Taz Y (n = 1, 4; Y = NTf(2)), N1-C(n)H(2)(n )(+ 1)-N4-(CH(2))(2)F-Taz Y (n = 7, 10; Y = NTf(2)), N1-C(10)H(21)-N4-(CH(2))(2)F-TazY (Y = OTf), N1-C(7)H(15)-N4-(CH(2))(2)F-TazY (Y = BF(4)), N1-C(4)H(9)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m) (+ 1)-Taz Y (m = 4, 6; Y = PF(6)), N1-C(7)H(15)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(4)F(9)-Taz Y (Y = PF(6)), N1-C(4)H(9)-N4-(CH(2))(2)C(m)F(2)(m)(+ 1)-Taz Y (m = 4, 6; Y = OTf). All new compounds were characterized by (1)H, (19)F, and (13)C NMR and MS spectra and elemental analyses. T(g)s and T(m)s of ionic liquids were determined by DSC.     

Organometallic uranium(V)-imido halide complexes: from synthesis to electronic structure and bonding

Reaction of (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2) or (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3)(THF) with 5 equiv of CuX(n) (n = 1, X = Cl, Br, I; n = 2, X = F) affords the corresponding uranium(V)-imido halide complexes, (C5Me5)2U(=N-Ar)(X) (where Ar = 2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2 and X = F (3), Cl (4), Br (5), I (6); Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3 and X = F (7), Cl (8), Br (9), I (10)), in good isolated yields of 75-89%. These compounds have been characterized by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible-NIR absorption spectroscopy, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility. The uranium L(III)-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2)(Cl) (4) was analyzed to obtain structural information, and the U=N imido (1.97(1) A), U-Cl (2.60(2) A), and U-C5Me5 (2.84(1) A) distances were consistent with those observed for compounds 3, 5, 6, 8-10, which were all characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All (C5Me5)2U(=N-Ar)(X) complexes exhibit U(V)/U(IV) and U(VI)/U(V) redox couples by voltammetry, with the potential separation between these metal-based couples remaining essentially constant at approximately 1.50 V. The electronic spectra are comprised of pi-->pi* and pi-->nb(5f) transitions involving electrons in the metal-imido bond, and metal-centered f-f bands illustrative of spin-orbit and crystal-field influences on the 5f(1) valence electron configuration. Two distinct sets of bands are attributed to transitions derived from this 5f(1) configuration, and the intensities in these bands increase dramatically over those found in spectra of classical 5f(1) actinide coordination complexes. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities are reported for all complexes with mu(eff) values ranging from 2.22 to 2.53 mu(B). The onset of quenching of orbital angular momentum by ligand fields is observed to occur at approximately 40 K in all cases. Density functional theory results for the model complexes (C5Me5)2U(=N-C6H5)(F) (11) and (C5Me5)2U(=N-C6H5)(I) (12) show good agreement with experimental structural and electrochemical data and provide a basis for assignment of spectroscopic bands. The bonding analysis describes multiple bonding between the uranium metal center and imido nitrogen which is comprised of one sigma and two pi interactions with variable participation of 5f and 6d orbitals from the uranium center.     

Synthesis, structure, and reductive elimination in the series Tp'Rh(PR3)(Ar(F))H; determination of rhodium-carbon bond energies of fluoroaryl substituents

A series of complexes of the type Tp'Rh(PR(3))(Ar(F))H, where PR(3) = PMe(3) (3) and PMe(2)Ph (9), Ar(F) = C(6)F(5) (a), 2,3,4,5-C(6)F(4)H (b), 2,3,5,6-C(6)F(4)H (c), 2,4,6-C(6)F(3)H(2) (d), 2,3-C(6)F(2)H(3) (e), 2,5-C(6)F(2)H(3) (g), and 2-C(6)FH(4) (h) and Tp' = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, has been synthesized as stable crystalline compounds by the reactions of the [Tp'Rh(PR(3))] fragment with the corresponding fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, and their structures were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis together with X-ray crystallography. The kinetics of the reductive eliminations of fluoroarenes from complexes 3a-h in benzene-d(6) solutions at 140 °C were investigated, but were complicated by the formation of the rhodium(I) bisphosphine complex, Tp'Rh(PMe(3))(2) (4). On the other hand, thermal reactions of (9) in THF-d(8) solutions at 120 °C resulted in the formation of an intramolecular C-H bond activated complex of the phenyl group on the phosphorus atom, Tp'Rh(κ(2)-C(6)H(4)-2-PMe(2))H (7), which prevents the formation of the corresponding bisphosphine complex. The experimentally determined rates of the reductive eliminations of fluoroarenes from the complexes 9a-h and their kinetic selectivities for formation in competition with the metallacycle have been used to determine relative Rh-CAr(F) bond energies. The Rh-CAr(F) bond energy is found to be dependent on the number of ortho fluorines. A plot of Rh-CAr(F) vs. C-H bond strengths resulted in a line with a slope R(M-C/C-H) of 2.15 that closely matches the DFT calculated value (slope = 2.05).     

Catalytic ethylene polymerisation in carbon dioxide as a reaction medium with soluble nickel(II) catalysts

A series of neutral Ni(II)-salicylaldiminato complexes substituted with perfluorooctyl- and trifluoromethyl groups, [Ni{kappa(2)-N,O-6-C(H)==NAr-2,4-R'(2)C(6)H(2)O}(Me)(pyridine)] (6 a: Ar=2,6-{4-(F(17)C(8))C(6)H(4)}(2)C(6)H(3), R'=I; 6 b: Ar=2,6-{4-(F(3)C)C(6)H(4)}(2)C(6)H(3), R'=I; 6 c: Ar=2,6-{3,5-(F(3)C)(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)C(6)H(3), R'=3,5-(F(3)C)(2)C(6)H(3); 6 d: Ar=2,6-{4-(F(17)C(8))C(6)H(4)}(2)C(6)H(3), R'=3,5-(F(3)C)(2)C(6)H(3); 6 e: Ar=2,6-{3,5-(F(3)C)(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)C(6)H(3), R'=I) were studied as catalyst precursors for ethylene polymerisation in supercritical CO(2). Catalyst precursors 6 a and 6 c, which are soluble in scCO(2), afford the highest polymer yields, corresponding to 2 x 10(3) turnovers. Semicrystalline polyethylene (M(n) typically 10(4) g mol(-1)) is obtained with variable degrees of branching (11 to 24 branches per 1000 carbon atoms, predominantly Me branches) and crystallinities (54 to 21 %), depending on the substitution pattern of the catalyst.     

Preparation of five- and six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) complexes from benzene and functionalized arenes by C-H activation

The reaction of the in situ generated cyclooctene iridium(I) derivative trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzene at 80 degrees C gave a mixture of the five-coordinate dihydrido and hydrido(phenyl) iridium(III) complexes [IrH2(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 2 and [IrH(C6H5)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 3 in the ratio of about 1 : 2. The chloro- and fluoro-substituted arenes C6H5X (X = Cl, F), C6H4F2 and C6H4F(CH3) reacted also by C-H activation to afford the corresponding aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) derivatives [IrH(C6H4X)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 7, 8, [IrH(C6H3F2)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 9-11 and [IrH[C6H3F(CH3)](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 12, 13, respectively. The formation of isomeric mixtures had been detected by 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of 3 and 7-13 with CO gave the octahedral carbonyl iridium(III) complexes [IrH(C6H3XX')(Cl)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 5, 14-20 without the elimination of the arene. The reactions of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with aryl ketones C6H5C(O)R (R = Me, Ph), aryl ketoximes C6H5C(NOH)R (R = Me, Ph) and benzaloxime C6H5C(NOH)H resulted in the formation of six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) compounds 21-25 with the aryl ligand coordinated in a bidentate kappa2-C,O or kappa2-C,N fashion. With C6H5C(O)NH2 as the substrate, the two isomers [IrH[kappa2-N,O-NHC(O)C6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 26 and [IrH[kappa2-C,O-C6H4C(O)NH2](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 27 were prepared stepwise. Treatment of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzoic acid gave the benzoato(hydrido) complex [IrH[kappa2-O,O-O2CC6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 29 which did not rearrange to the kappa2-C,O isomer.     

Pentafluorophenyl transfer: a new group-transfer reaction in organoborate salts

[reaction: see text] Irradiation of isoquinolinium hydroxytris(pentafluorophenyl)borate, 1, and phenanthridium hydroxytris(pentafluorophenyl)borate, 2, in either CH2Cl2 or CH3CN resulted in C6F5 transfer to the isoquinolinium and phenanthridium cations, generating 2-methyl-1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline, 3, and 2-methyl-1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,2-dihydrophenanthridine, 4, respectively. In addition, photogeneration of H2O x B(C6F5)3 resulted from 1. Photogeneration of C6F5-C6F4H from HO-B(C6F5)3(-) and of C6H5-C6F4H from C6H5-B(C6F5)3(-) was discovered.     

Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of pi-conjugated systems incorporating closo-dodecaborate clusters: new potential candidates for two-photon absorption processes

Non-centrosymmetric pi-conjugated systems incorporating closo-dodecaborate clusters, [NC-C6H4-C(H=N(H)-B12H11]-(2), [NC-C6H4-C(H)=C(H)-C(6)H(4)-C(H)=N(H)-B12H11]-(3), and [NC-C6H4-C(H)=C(H)-C6H4-C(H)=C(H)-C6H4-C(H)=N(H)-B12H11]-(4) have been synthesized by reaction of the monoamino derivative of B12, [B12H11NH3]-(1), with various arylaldehydes, R-C6H4-CHO. These Schiff base-like compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In order to evaluate these boron rich pi-systems as potential materials for two-photon absorption (TPA) processes, UV linear absorption curves were recorded for 3 and 4, and comparatively studied with those of the boron-free pi-systems NC-C6H4-C(H)=N-CH3(5) and NC-C6H4-C(H)=C(H)-C6H4-C(H)=N-CH3(6). The donor effect of the boron cluster was evidenced by a shift to the lower energy of the absorption band in the spectra of systems incorporating B12. The two photon absorption (TPA) spectrum of compound , obtained by the up-conversion method, shows a resonance at 720 nm with a cross-section sigma(TPA) of 35 x 10(-50) cm(4) s photon(-1) molecule(-1). This value suggests the potential of B12 clusters to be used as new donor groups for the synthesis of non-linear materials.     

Zwitterionic ring-borylated ansa-chromocene complexes

Ring borylation of [Me4C2(eta5-C5H4)2CrCO] by B(C6F5)3 affords the zwitterionic complex {Me4(eta5-C5H4)(eta5-C4H3B(C6F5)3)}CrH(CO) (1), the first structurally characterized bent-metallocene complex of Cr(4+). This species decomposes thermally to the zwitterionic species {Me4(eta5-C5H4)(eta5-C4H3B(C6F5)3)}Cr (2) and the ionic species [Me4C2(eta5-C5H4)2CrCO][HB(C6F5)3] (3). The molecular structure of 2 is also described.     

Gas-phase electron diffraction studies on two 11-vertex Dicarbaboranes, closo-2,3-C2B9H11 and nido-2,9-C2B9H13

The molecular structures of two carbaboranes, closo-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(11) and nido-2,9-C(2)B(9)H(13), were determined experimentally for the first time using gas-phase electron diffraction (GED). For closo-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(11), a model with C(2)(v)() symmetry was refined to give C-B bond distances ranging 158.3-167.0 pm and B-B distances ranging 177.4-200.0 pm. The structure of nido-2,9-C(2)B(9)H(13) was refined using a model with C(s)() symmetry to give C-B bond lengths ranging 160.3-171.9 pm and B-B lengths ranging 173.0-196.1 pm. Ab initio computations (up to MP2/6-311+G) were also carried out on these and the related nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(13), which was not sufficiently stable to allow determination of its molecular structure by GED.     

Temperature- and solvent-dependent binding of dihydrogen in iridium pincer complexes

Mixtures of deuterium labeled complexes (p-XPOCOP)IrH2-xDx (1-6-d0-2) {POCOP = [C6H2-1,3-[OP(tBu)2]2] X = MeO (1), Me (2), H (3), F (4), C6F5 (5), and ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3 (6)} have been generated by reaction of (p-XPOCOP)IrH2 complexes with HD gas in benzene followed by removal of the solvent under high vacuum. Spectroscopic analysis employing 1H and 2D NMR reveals significant temperature and solvent dependent isotopic shifts and HD coupling constants. Complexes 1-6-d1 in toluene and pentane between 296 and 213 K exhibit coupling constants JHD of 3.8-9.0 Hz, suggesting the presence of an elongated H2 ligand, which is confirmed by T1(min) measurements of complexes 1, 3, and 6 in toluene-d8. In contrast, complex 6-d1 exhibits JHD = 0 Hz in CH2Cl2 or CDCl2F whereas isotopic shifts up to -4.05 ppm have been observed by lowering the temperature from 233 to 133 K in CDCl2F. The large and temperature-dependent isotope effects are attributed to nonstatistical occupation of two different hydride environments. The experimental observations are interpreted in terms of a two component model involving rapid equilibration of solvated Ir(III) dihydride and Ir(I) dihydrogen structures.     

Role of the NH2 functionality and solvent in terdentate CNN alkoxide ruthenium complexes for the fast transfer hydrogenation of ketones in 2-propanol

The reaction of [RuCl(CNN)(dppb)] (1; HCNN=6-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyridylmethylamine) with NaOiPr in 2-propanol/C6D6 affords the alcohol adduct alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)(dppb)].n iPrOH (5), containing the Ru-NH2 linkage. The alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)(dppb)] (4) is formed by treatment of the hydride [Ru(H)(CNN)(dppb)] (2) with acetone in C6D6. Complex 5 in 2-propanol/C6D6 equilibrates quickly with hydride 2 and acetone with an exchange rate of (5.4+/-0.2) s(-1) at 25 degrees C, higher than that found between 4 and 2 ((2.9+/-0.4) s(-1)). This fast process, involving a beta-hydrogen elimination versus ketone insertion into the Ru-H bond, occurs within a hydrogen-bonding network favored by the Ru-NH2 motif. The cationic alcohol complex [Ru(CNN)(dppb)(iPrOH)](BAr(f)4) (6; Ar(f)=3,5-C6H3(CF3)2), obtained from 1, Na[BAr(f)4], and 2-propanol, reacts with NaOiPr to afford 5. Complex 5 reacts with either 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone through hydride 2 or with 4,4'-difluorobenzhydrol through protonation, affording the alkoxide [Ru(OCH(4-C6H4F)2)(CNN)(dppb)] (7) in 90 and 85 % yield of the isolated product. The chiral CNN-ruthenium compound [RuCl(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)] (8), obtained by the reaction of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with (S,S)-Skewphos and orthometalation of HCNN in the presence of NEt3, is a highly active catalyst for the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of methylaryl ketones (turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 1.4 x 10(6) h(-1) at reflux were obtained) with up to 89% ee. Also the ketone CF3CO(4-C6H4F), containing the strong electron-withdrawing CF3 group, is reduced to the R alcohol with 64% ee and a TOF of 1.5 x 10(4) h(-1). The chiral alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)]n iPrOH (9), obtained from 8 and NaOiPr in the presence of 2-propanol, reacts with CF3CO(4-C6H4F) to afford a mixture of the diastereomer alkoxides [Ru(OCH(CF3)(4-C6H4F))(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)] (10/11; 74% yield) with 67% de. This value is very close to the enantiomeric excess of the alcohol (R)-CF3CH(OH)(4-C6H4F) formed in catalysis, thus suggesting that diastereoisomeric alkoxides with the Ru-NH2 linkage are key species in the catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction.     

Highly cis-1,4 selective polymerization of dienes with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on NCN-pincer rare earth metal dichloride precursors

The first aryldiimine NCN-pincer ligated rare earth metal dichlorides (2,6-(2,6-C6H3R2N=CH)2-C6H3)LnCl2(THF)2 (Ln = Y, R = Me (1), Et (2), iPr (3); R = Et, Ln = La (4), Nd (5), Gd (6), Sm (7), Eu (8), Tb (9), Dy (10), Ho (11), Yb (12), Lu (13)) were successfully synthesized via transmetalation between 2,6-(2,6-C6H3-R2N=CH)2-C6H3Li and LnCl3(THF)(1-3.5). These complexes are isostructural monomers with two coordinating THF molecules, where the pincer ligand coordinates to the central metal ion in a kappaC:kappaN:kappaN' tridentate mode, adopting a meridional geometry. Complexes 1-6, 9-11, and 13 combined with aluminum tris(alkyl)s and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] established a homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, which exhibited high activities and excellent cis-1,4 selectivities for the polymerizations of butadiene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 99.9%; 0 degrees C, 100%) and isoprene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 98.8%). Remarkably, such high cis-1,4 selectivity almost remained at elevated polymerization temperatures up to 80 degrees C and did not vary with the type of the central lanthanide element, however, which was influenced obviously by the ortho substituent of the N-aryl ring of the ligands and the bulkiness of the aluminum alkyls. The Ln-Al bimetallic cations were considered as the active species. These results shed new light on improving the catalytic performance of the conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts for the specific selective polymerization of dienes.     

Marked counteranion effects on single-site olefin polymerization processes. Correlations of ion pair structure and dynamics with polymerization activity, chain transfer, and syndioselectivity

Counteranion effects on the rate and stereochemistry of syndiotactic propylene enchainment by the archetypal C(s)-symmetric precatalyst [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(2) (1; Cp = C(5)H(4); Flu = C(13)H(8), fluorenyl) are probed using the cocatalysts MAO (2), B(C(6)F(5))(3) (3)(,) B(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3) (4)(,) Ph(3)C(+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) (5), and Ph(3)C(+)FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (6), offering greatly different structural and ion pairing characteristics. Reaction of 1 with 3 affords [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(+) MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) (7). In the case of 4, this reaction leads to formation the micro-methyl dinuclear diastereomers [([Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe)(2)(micro-Me)](+) MeB(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (8). A similar reaction with 6 results in diastereomeric [Me(2)C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe(+) FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) (10) ion pairs. The molecular structures of 7 and 10 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reorganization pathways available to these species have been examined using EXSY and dynamic NMR, revealing that the cation-MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-) interaction is considerably weaker/more mobile than in the FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-)-derived analogue. Polymerizations mediated by 1 in toluene over the temperature range of -10 degrees to +60 degrees C and at 1.0-5.0 atm propylene pressure (at 60 degrees C) reveal that activity, product syndiotacticity, m and mm stereodefect generation, and chain transfer processes are highly sensitive to the nature of the ion pairing. Thus, the complexes activated with 4 and 5, having the weakest ion pairing, yield the highest estimated propagation rates, while with 6, having the strongest pairing, yields the lowest. The strongly coordinating, immobile FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-) anion produces the highest/least temperature-dependent product syndiotacticity, lowest/least temperature-dependent m stereodefect abundance, and highest product molecular weight. These polypropylene microstructural parameters, and also M(w), are least sensitive to increased propylene pressure for FAl(2-C(6)F(5)C(6)F(4))(3)(-), but highest with MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-). In general, mm stereodefect production is only modestly anion-sensitive; [propylene] dependence studies reveal enantiofacial propylene misinsertion to be the prevailing mm-generating process in all systems at 60 degrees C, being most dominant with 6, where mm stereodefect abundance is lowest. For 1,3-dichlorobenzene as the polymerization solvent, product syndiotacticity, as well as m and mm stereodefects, become indistinguishable for all cocatalysts. These observations are consistent with a scenario in which ion pairing modulates the rates of stereodefect generating processes relative to monomer enchainment, hence net enchainment syndioselectivity, and also dictates the rate of termination relative to propagation and the preferred termination pathway. In comparison to 3-6, propylene polymerization mediated by MAO (2) + 1 in toluene reveals an estimated ordering in site epimerization rates as 5 > 4 > 2 > 3 > 6, while product syndiotacticities rank as 6 > 2 > 5 approximately 4 > 3.     

Electron attachment and detachment, and the electron affinities of C5F5N and C5HF4N

Rate constants have been measured for electron attachment to C5F5N (297-433 K) and to 2, 3, 5, 6-C5HF4N (303 K) using a flowing-afterglow Langmuir-probe apparatus (at a He gas pressure of 133 Pa). In both cases only the parent anion was formed in the attachment process. The attachment rate constants measured at room temperature are 1.8 +/- 0.5 X 10(-7) and 7 +/- 3 X 10(-10) cm(-3) s(-1), respectively. Rate constants were also measured for thermal electron detachment from the parent anions of these molecules. For C5F5N- detachment is negligible at room temperature, but increases to 2530 +/- 890 s(-1) at 433 K. For 2, 3, 5, 6-C5HF4N-, the detachment rate at 303 K was 520 +/- 180 s(-1). The attachment/detachment equilibrium yielded experimental electron affinities EA(C5F5N)=0.70 +/- 0.05 eV and EA(2, 3, 5, 6-C5HF4N)=0.40 +/- 0.08 eV. Electronic structure calculations were carried out for these molecules and related C5HxF5-xN using density-functional theory and the G3(MP2)//B3LYP compound method. The EAs are found to decrease by 0.25 eV, on average, with each F substitution by H. The calculated EAs are in good agreement with the present experimental results.     

Synthesis and Structure of 6-(4- Fluorobenzylamino)-3-methylthio-1,5- diphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one

1 INTRODUCTION It was reported that the pyrazolopyrimidinone derivatives play a very important role in the bio- chemistry of living cell. Many potential drugs[1～3] and agrochemicals[4, 5] have been modeled on the compound, and the study on derivatives …     

B(C6F5)3 adducts of transition metal acyl compounds

The transition metal acyl compounds [Co(L)(CO)3(COMe)] (L = PMe3, PPhMe2, P(4-Me-C6H4)3, PPh3 and P(4-F-C6H4)3), [Mn(CO)5(COMe)] and [Mo(PPh3)(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)2(COMe)] react with B(C6F5)3 to form the adducts [Co(L)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] (L = PMe3, 1, PPhMe2, 2, P(4-Me-C6H4)3, 3, PPh3, 4, P(4-F-C6H4)3), 5, [Mn(CO)5(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] 6 and [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(PPh3)(CO)2(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)], 7. Addition of B(C6F5)3 to a cooled solution of [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(Me)], under an atmosphere of CO gave [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] 8. In the presence of adventitious water, the compound [Co{HOB(C6F5)3}2{OP(4-F-C6H4)3}2] 9, was formed from [Co(P(4-F-C6H4)3)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)]. The compounds 4 and 9 have been structurally characterised. The use of B(C6F5)3 as a catalyst for the CO-induced migratory-insertion reaction in the transition metal alkyl compounds [Co(PPh3)(CO)3(Me)], [Mn(CO)5(Me)], [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(Me)] and [Fe(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)2(Me)] has been investigated.