Copper(II) diamino acid complexes: quantum chemical computations regarding diastereomeric effects on the energy of complexation

[reaction: see text] Quantum chemical calculations were used to rationalize the observed enantiodifferentiation in the complexation of alpha-amino acids to chiral Cu(II) complexes. Apart from Cu(II)[bond]pi interactions and steric repulsions between the anchoring cholesteryl-Glu moiety and an aromatic amino acid R group, hydrogen bonding also plays a role. In fact, in the case of tryptophan, C[double bond]O...H[bond]N hydrogen bonding between the glutamate moiety and the tryptophan N[bond]H group compensates for the loss of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding and diminished Cu(II)[bond]pi interactions.     

The role of chalcogen-chalcogen interactions in the intrinsic basicity acidity of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH

The intrinsic acidity and basicity of a series of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH (X=O, S; Y=Se, Te) were investigated by B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) density functional and G2(MP2) calculations on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for neutral molecules and at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level for anions. The results showed that selenovinylaldehyde and selenovinylthioaldehyde should behave as Se bases in the gas phase, because the most stable neutral conformer is stabilized by an X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). In contrast the Te-containing analogues behave as oxygen or sulfur bases, because the most stable conformer is stabilized by typical X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interactions. These compounds have a lower basicity than expected because either chalcogen-chalcogen interactions or IHBs become weaker upon protonation. Similarly, they are also weaker acids than expected because deprotonation results in a significantly destabilized anion. Loss of the proton from the X[bond]H or Y[bond]H groups is a much more favorable than from the C[bond]H groups. Therefore, for Se compounds the deprotonation process results in loss of the X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) IHBs present in the most stable neutral conformer, while for Te-containing compounds the stabilizing X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interaction present in the most stable neutral conformer becomes repulsive in the corresponding anion.     

Novel reactivity mode of hydroxamic acids: a metalla-pinner reaction

The reaction between the nitrile complex trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] and benzohydroxamic acids RC(6)H(4)C([double bond]O)NHOH (R = p-MeO, p-Me, H, p-Cl, o-HO) proceeds smoothly in CH(2)Cl(2) at approximately 45 degrees C for 2-3 h (sealed tube) or under focused 300 W microwave irradiation for approximately 15 min at 50 degrees C giving, after workup, good yields of the imino complexes [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)ON[double bond]C(OH)(C(6)H(4)R)](2)] which derived from a novel metalla-Pinner reaction. The complexes [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)ON[double bond]C(OH)(C(6)H(4)R)](2)] were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), FAB mass spectrometry, and IR and (1)H and (13)C[(1)H] spectroscopies, and [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)ON[double bond]C(OH)(Ph)](2)] (as the bis-dimethyl sulfoxide solvate), by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The latter disclosed its overall trans-configuration with the iminoacyl species in the hydroximic tautomeric form in E-configuration which is held by N[bond]H...N hydrogen bond between the imine [double bond]NH atom and the hydroximic N atom.     

From weak interactions to covalent bonds: a continuum in the complexes of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene

Experimental charge density distributions in a series of ionic complexes of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) with four different acids: 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (pyromellitic acid), 4,5-dichlorophthalic acid, dicyanoimidazole, and o-benzoic sulfimide dihydrate (saccharin) have been analyzed. Variation of charge density properties and derived local energy densities are investigated, over all inter- and intramolecular interactions present in altogether five complexes of DMAN. All the interactions studied [[O...H...O](-), C[bond]H...O, [N[bond]H...N](+), O[bond]H...O, C[bond]H...N, C pi...N pi, C pi...C pi, C[bond]H...Cl, N[bond]H(+)] follow exponential dependences of the electron density, local kinetic and potential energies at the bond critical points on the length of the interaction line. The local potential energy density at the bond critical points has a near-linear relationship to the electron density. There is also a Morse-like dependence of the laplacian of rho on the length of interaction line, which allows a differentiation of ionic and covalent bond characters. The strength of the interactions studied varies systematically with the relative penetration of the critical points into the van der Waals spheres of the donor and acceptor atoms, as well as on the interpenetration of the van der Waals spheres themselves. The strong, charge supported hydrogen bond in the DMANH(+) cation in each complex has a multicenter character involving a [[Me(2)N[bond]H....NMe(2)](+)....X(delta-)] assembly, where X is the nearest electronegative atom in the crystal lattice.     

1‐Benzoyl‐3‐[(2‐benzylsulfanyl)phenyl]thiourea

In the title compound, C₂₁H₁₈N₂OS₂, a strong intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond [N...O = 2.642 (3) Å] between the amide N atom and the benzoyl O atom forms an almost planar six‐membered ring in the central part of the molecule. In the crystal, molecules are packed through weak N—H...S interactions. Intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions are the stabilizing forces for the crystal structure.     

Pop-the-cork strategy in synthetic utilization of imines: stabilization by complexation and activation via liberation of the ligated species

Treatment of trans-[PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] (R = Me, Et) with ethanol allowed the isolation of trans-[PtCl(4)[E-NH[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)]. The latter were reduced selectively, by the ylide Ph(3)P[double bond]CHCO(2)Me, to trans-[PtCl(2)[E-NH[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)]. The complexed imino esters NH[double bond]C(R)OEt were liberated from the platinum(II) complexes by reaction with 2 equiv of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in chloroform; the cationic complex [Pt(dppe)(2)]Cl(2) precipitates almost quantitatively from the reaction mixture and can be easily separated by filtration to give a solution of NH[double bond]C(R)OEt with a known concentration of the imino ester. The imino esters efficiently couple with the coordinated nitriles in trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] to give, as the dominant product, [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)] containing a previously unknown linkage, i.e., ligated N-(1-imino-propyl)-alkylimidic acid ethyl esters. In addition to [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(Et)OEt](2)], another compound was generated as the minor product, i.e., [PtCl(4)(EtCN)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(Et)OEt]], which was reduced to [PtCl(2)(EtCN)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(Et)OEt]], and this complex was characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The platinum(IV) complexes [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)] are unstable toward hydrolysis and give EtOH and the acylamidine complexes trans-[PtCl(4)[Z-NH[double bond]C(Et)NHC(R)[double bond]O](2)], where the coordination to the Pt center results in the predominant stabilization of the imino tautomer NH[double bond]C(Et)NHC(R)[double bond]O over the other form, i.e., NH(2)C(Et)[double bond]NC(R)[double bond]O, which is the major one for free acylamidines. The structures of trans-[PtCl(4)[Z-NH[double bond]C(Et)NHC(R)[double bond]O](2)] (R = Me, Et) were determined by X-ray studies. The complexes [PtCl(4)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)] were reduced to the appropriate platinum(II) compounds [PtCl(2)[NH[double bond]C(Et)N[double bond]C(R)OEt](2)], which, similarly to the appropriate Pt(IV) compounds, rapidly hydrolyze to yield the acylamidine complexes [PtCl(2)[NH[double bond]C(Et)NHC(R)[double bond]O](2)] and EtOH. The latter acylamidine compounds were also prepared by an alternative route upon reduction of the corresponding platinum(IV) complexes. Besides the first observation of the platinum(IV)-mediated nitrile-imine ester integration, this work demonstrates that the application of metal complexes gives new opportunities for the generation of a great variety of imines (sometimes unreachable in pure organic chemistry) in metal-mediated conversions of organonitriles, the "storage" of imino species in the complexed form, and their synthetic utilization after liberation.     

Direct Sp3α-C-H activation and functionalization of alcohol and ether

Seven kinds of sp(3)α-C-H activation/C-C formation reactions of alcohols and ethers have been reviewed in this tutorial review, from the viewpoint of both methodology and synthetic application, towards the efficiency, chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity, catalytic system, substrate scope and mechanistic study. Section 2 describes radical-mediated α-C-H activation and addition/elimination of ethers with unsaturated (C=C and C[triple bond]C) species. Sections 3-8 discuss the α-C-H activation and additions of alcohols and/or ethers with unsaturated (C=C, C[triple bond]C, C=O and C=N) compounds, which involve the key processes of radical mediation, carbenoid insertion, 1,5-H-migration, oxidative dehydrogenation coupling, transfer hydrogenative coupling, and metal-mediated C=C insertion into the C-H bond.     

Quantifying weak hydrogen bonding in uracil and 4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl: a combined computational and experimental investigation of NMR chemical shifts in the solid state

Weak hydrogen bonding in uracil and 4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl, for which single-crystal diffraction structures reveal close CH...O=C and C[triple bond]CH...N[triple bond]C distances, is investigated in a study that combines the experimental determination of 1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shifts by magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR with first-principles calculations using plane-wave basis sets. An optimized synthetic route, including the isolation and characterization of intermediates, to 4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl at natural abundance and with 13C[triple bond]13CH and 15N[triple bond]C labeling is described. The difference in chemical shifts calculated, on the one hand, for the full crystal structure and, on the other hand, for an isolated molecule depends on both intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions and aromatic ring current effects. In this study, the two effects are separated computationally by, first, determining the difference in chemical shift between that calculated for a plane (uracil) or an isolated chain (4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl) and that calculated for an isolated molecule and by, second, calculating intraplane or intrachain nucleus-independent chemical shifts that quantify the ring current effects caused by neighboring molecules. For uracil, isolated molecule to plane changes in the 1H chemical shift of 2.0 and 2.2 ppm are determined for the CH protons involved in CH...O weak hydrogen bonding; this compares to changes of 5.1 and 5.4 ppm for the NH protons involved in conventional NH...O hydrogen bonding. A comparison of CH bond lengths for geometrically relaxed uracil molecules in the crystal structure and for geometrically relaxed isolated molecules reveals differences of no more than 0.002 A, which corresponds to changes in the calculated 1H chemical shifts of at most 0.1 ppm. For the C[triple bond]CH...N[triple bond]C weak hydrogen bonds in 4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl, the calculated molecule to chain changes are of similar magnitude but opposite sign for the donor 13C and acceptor 15N nuclei. In uracil and 4-cyano-4'-ethynylbiphenyl, the CH hydrogen-bonding donors are sp2 and sp hybridized, respectively; a comparison of the calculated changes in 1H chemical shift with those for the sp3 hybridized CH donors in maltose (Yates et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 10216) reveals no marked dependence on hybridization for weak hydrogen-bonding strength.     

2‐{[(3‐Fluorophenyl)amino]methylidene}‐3‐oxobutanenitrile and 5‐{[(3‐fluorophenyl)amino]methylidene}‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione: X‐ray and DFT studies

In the crystal structures of the title compounds, C₁₁H₉FN₂O, (I), and C₁₃H₁₂FNO₄, (II), the molecules are joined pairwise via different hydrogen bonds and the constituent pairs are crosslinked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The basic structural motif in (I), which is partially disordered, comprises pairs of molecules arranged in an antiparallel fashion which enables C—H...N[triple‐bond]C interactions. The pairs of molecules are crosslinked by two weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The constituent pair in (II) is formed by intramolecular bifurcated C—H...O/O′ and combined inter‐ and intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds. In both structures, F atoms form weak C—F...H—C interactions with the H atoms of the two neighbouring methyl groups, the H...F separations being 2.59/2.80 and 2.63/2.71 Å in (I) and (II), respectively. The bond orders in the molecules, estimated using the natural bond orbitals (NBO) formalism, correlate with the changes in bond lengths. Deviations from the ideal molecular geometry are explained by the concept of non‐equivalent hybrid orbitals. The existence of possible conformers of (I) and (II) is analysed by molecular calculations at the B3LYP/6–31+G** level of theory.     

Endgroup-assisted siloxane bond cleavage in the gas phase

Unimolecular dissociation of H(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)NH(3)(+) generates SiC(5)H(16)NO(+) and SiC(5)H(14)N(+). The formation of SiC(5)H(16)NO(+) involves dissociation of a Si[bond]O bond and formation of an O[bond]H bond through rearrangement. The fragmentation mechanism was investigated utilizing ab initio calculations and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry in combination with hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions. Sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) studies of the fully deuterated ion D(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)ND(3)(+) provided convincing evidence for a backbiting mechanism which involves hydrogen transfer from the terminal amine group to the oxygen to form a silanol-containing species. Theoretical calculations indicated decomposition of H(2)N(CH(2))(3)SiOSi(CH(2))(3)NH(3)(+) through a backbiting mechanism is the lowest energy decomposition channel, compared with other alternative routes. Two mechanisms were proposed for the fragmentation process which leads to the siloxane bond cleavage and the SORI-CID results of partially deuterated precursor ions suggest both mechanisms should be operative. Rearrangement to yield a silanol-containing product ion requires end groups possessing a labile hydrogen atom. Decomposition of disiloxane ions with end groups lacking labile hydrogen atoms yielded product ions from direct bond cleavages.     

Mechanism of glucose oxidation by quinoprotein soluble glucose dehydrogenase: insights from molecular dynamics studies

We have generated 3 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, in aqueous solution, of the bacterial soluble glucose dehydrogenase enzyme.PQQ.glucose complex and intermediates formed in PQQ reduction. In the MD structure of enzyme.PQQ.glucose complex the imidazole of His144 is hydrogen bonded to the hydroxyl hydrogen of H[bond]OC1(H) of glucose. The tightly hydrogen-bonded triad Asp163-His144-glucose (2.70 and 2.91 A) is involved in proton abstraction from glucose concerted with the hydride transfer from the C1[bond]H of glucose to the >C5[double bond]O quinone carbon of PQQ. The reaction is assisted by Arg228 hydrogen bonding to the carbonyl oxygen of >C5[double bond]O. The rearrangement of [bond](H)C5(O-)[bond]C4([double bond]O)[bond] of II to [bond]C5(OH)[double bond]C4(OH)[bond] of PQQH(2) hydroquinone is assisted by general acid protonatation of the >C4[double bond]O oxygen by protonated His144 and hydrogen bonds of Arg228 to the oxyanion O5. The continuous hydrogen bonding of the amide side chain of Asn229 to >C4[double bond]O4 oxygen and that of the O5 oxygen of the cofactor to Wat89 is observed throughout the entire reaction.     

Carbon [bond] hydrogen bond activation by titanium imido complexes. Computational evidence for the role of alkane adducts in selective C [bond] H activation

This paper reports calculations that probe the role of R (hydrocarbon) and R' (ligand substituent) effects on the reaction coordinate for C [bond] H activation: Ti(OR')(2)(=NR') + RH --> adduct --> transition state --> (OR')(2)Ti(N(H)R')(R). Compounds with R = H, Me, Et, Vy, cPr, Ph, Cy, Bz, and cubyl are studied using quantum (R' = H, SiH(3), SiMe(3)) and classical (R' = Si(t)Bu(3)) techniques. Calculated geometries are in excellent agreement with data for experimental models. There is little variability in the calculated molecular structure of the reactants, products, and most interestingly, transition states as R and R' are changed. Structural flexibility is greatest in the adducts Ti(OR')(2)(=NR')...HR. Despite the small structural changes observed for Ti(OR')(2)(double bond] NR') with different R', significant changes are manifested in calculated electronic properties (the Mulliken charge on Ti becomes more positive and the Ti [double bond] N bond order decreases with larger R'), changes that should facilitate C [bond] H activation. Substantial steric modification of the alkane complex is expected from R [bond] R' interactions, given the magnitude of Delta G(add) and the conformational flexibility of the adduct. Molecular mechanics simulations of Ti(OSi(t)Bu(3))(2)([double bond] NSi(t)Bu(3))...isopentane adducts yield an energy ordering as a function of the rank of the C [bond] H bond coordinated to Ti that is consistent with experimental selectivity patterns. Calculated elimination barriers compare very favorably with experiment; larger SiH(3) and TMS ligand substituents generally yield better agreement with experiment, evidence that the modeling of the major contributions to the elimination barrier (N [bond] H and C [bond] H bond making) is ostensibly correct. Calculations indicate that weakening the C [bond] H bond of the hydrocarbon yields a more strongly bound adduct. Combining the different conclusions, the present computational research points to the adduct, specifically the structure and energetics of the substrate/Ti-imido interaction, as the main factor in determining the selectivity of hydrocarbon (R) C [bond] H activation.     

Facile Ni(II)/ketoxime-mediated conversion of organonitriles into imidoylamidine ligands. Synthesis of imidoylamidines and acetyl amides

Treatment of alkyl nitriles with NiX(2).6H(2)O (X = Cl, NO(3)) and 2-propanone oxime, followed by (X = Cl) addition of [i-Pr(4)N](NO(3)) for precipitation of the product, resulted in the formation of amidinium nitrates [RC([double bond]NH(2))NH(2)](NO(3)) (R = Me, Et, n-Pr). The reaction went to another direction with NiX(2).2H(2)O, i.e., the reaction between neat RCN (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, CH(2)Cl, CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p) and NiCl(2).2H(2)O/2-propanone oxime (other ketoximes can also be used) gave the (imidoylamidine)Ni(II) complexes [Ni[N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH](2)](2+) (1(2+)-7(2+)). The latter were isolated in good yields (65-91%) as the bis-chloride salts 1.Cl(2)-6.Cl(2) and the mixed salt 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)). Remarkably, the latter transformation does not proceed at all if NiCl(2).2H(2)O or the ketoxime are taken alone. Liberation of imidoylamidines was performed for one alkyl-containing complex [2.Cl(2)] and one benzyl-containing complex [7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2))], by (i) addition of HBF(4).Et(2)O to the acetonitrile solution of the complexes to yield [N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH].2HBF(4) (R = Et 8 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 9) or (ii) substitution for ethanediamine (en) with following precipitation of the complex [Ni(en)(3)]Cl(2) with formation of free N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH (R = Et 10 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 11). In contrast to the liberation in nonaqueous media, treatment of 2.Cl(2) and 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)) with Na(2)EDTA.2H(2)O in water-methanol solutions led to substitution and hydrolysis to furnish the acyl amides [EtC([double bond]O)](2)NH (12) and [p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)C([double bond]O)](2)NH (13). Alternatively, 12 and 13 were obtained by hydrolysis of 10 and 11 in water at pH ca. 8.5. It was shown that the oxime complexes trans-[NiCl(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(4)] (14) or cis-[Ni(O,O-NO(3))(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(2)] (15) can be intermediates in the formation of amidines and imidoylamidines. The sequence of the Ni(II)/oxime mediated formation of (imidoylamidine)Ni complexes and liberation (or hydrolytic liberation) of the ligands opens up a novel, facile and environmentally benign route to imidoylamidines and acyl amides.     

Directed synthesis of noncentrosymmetric molybdates using composition space analysis

A systematic investigation of the factors governing the reaction product composition, hydrogen bonding, and symmetry was conducted in the MoO3/3-aminoquinuclidine/H2O system. Composition space analysis was performed through 36 individual reactions under mild hydrothermal conditions using racemic 3-aminoquinuclidine. Single crystals of three new compounds, [C7H16N2][Mo3O10] x H2O, [C7H16N2]2[Mo8O26] x H2O, and [C7H16N2]2[Mo8O26] x 4 H2O, were grown. The relative phase stabilities for these products are dependent upon the reactant mole fractions in the initial reaction gel. This phase stability information was used to direct the synthesis of two new noncentrosymmetric compounds, using either (S)-(-)-3-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride or (R)-(+)-3-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride. [(R)-C7H16N2]2[Mo8O26] and [(S)-C7H16N2]2[Mo8O26] both crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric space group P2(1) (No. 4), which has the polar crystal class 2 (C2). The second-harmonic generation activities were measured on sieved powders. The structure-directing properties of the molybdate components in each compound were determined using bond valence sums. The structures of all five compounds were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Assembling an isomer grid: the isomorphous 4‐, 3‐ and 2‐fluoro‐N′‐(4‐pyridyl)benzamides

The three title isomers, 4‐, (I), 3‐, (II), and 2‐fluoro‐N′‐(4‐pyridyl)benzamide, (III), all C₁₂H₉FN₂O, crystallize in the P2₁/c space group (No. 14) with similar unit‐cell parameters and are isomorphous and isostructural at the primary hydrogen‐bonding level. An intramolecular C—H...O=C interaction is present in all three isomers [C...O = 2.8681 (17)–2.884 (2) Å and C—H...O117–118°], with an additional N—H...F [N...F = 2.7544 (15) Å] interaction in (III). Intermolecular amide–pyridine N—H...N hydrogen bonds link molecules into one‐dimensional zigzag chains [graph set C(6)] along the [010] direction as the primary hydrogen bond [N...N = 3.022 (2), 3.049 (2) and 3.0213 (17) Å]. These are augmented in (I) by C—H...π(arene) and cyclic C—F...π(arene) contacts about inversion centres, in (II) by C—F...F—C interactions [C...F = 3.037 (2) Å] and weaker C—H...π(arene)/C—H...F contacts, and in (III) by C—H...π(arene) and C=O...O=C interactions, linking the alternating chains into two‐dimensional sheets. Typical amide N—H...O=C hydrogen bonds [as C(4) chains] are not present [N...O = 3.438 (2) Å in (I), 3.562 (2) Å in (II) and 3.7854 (16) Å in (III)]; the C=O group is effectively shielded and only participates in weaker interactions/contacts. This series is unusual as the three isomers are isomorphous (having similar unit‐cell parameters, packing and alignment), but they differ in their interactions and contacts at the secondary level.     

Two Fe3(μ3‐S)2(CO)8 clusters with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes

The title compounds with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes, namely octacarbonyl(imidazolidinylidene‐κC²)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₃H₆N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (I), and octacarbonyl(1‐methylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene‐κC³)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₈H₈N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (II), have been synthesized. Each compound contains two Fe—Fe bonds and two S atoms above and below a triiron triangle. One of the eight carbonyl ligands deviates significantly from linearity. In (I), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked into [001] double chains by a second N—H...S hydrogen bond. These chains are packed by a C—H...O hydrogen bond to yield [101] sheets. In (II), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form [111] double chains.     

Intramolecular N-H...S hydrogen bonding in the zinc thiolate complex [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)NHPh: a mechanistic investigation of thiolate alkylation as probed by kinetics studies and by kinetic isotope effects

The zinc thiolate complex [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph, which features a tetrahedral [ZnS4] motif analogous to that of the Ada DNA repair protein, may be obtained by the reaction of Zn(NO3)2 with [Tm(Ph)]Li and Li[SCH2C(O)N(H)Ph] ([Tm(Ph)] = tris(2-mercapto-1-phenylimidazolyl)hydroborato ligand). Structural characterization of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph by X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the molecule exhibits an intramolecular N-H...S hydrogen bond between the amide N-H group and thiolate sulfur atom, a structure that is reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The thiolate ligand of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph is subject to alkylation, a reaction that is analogous to the function of the Ada DNA repair protein. Specifically, [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph reacts with MeI to yield PhN(H)C(O)CH2SMe and [Tm(Ph)]ZnI, a reaction which is characterized by second-order kinetics that is consistent with either (i) an associative mechanism or (ii) a stepwise dissociative mechanism in which the alkylation step is rate determining. Although the kinetics studies are incapable of distinguishing between these possibilities, a small normal kinetic isotope effect of kH/kD = 1.16(1) at 0 degrees C for the reaction of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H*)Ph (H* = H, D) with MeI is suggestive of a dissociative mechanism on the basis of DFT calculations. In particular, DFT calculations demonstrate that a normal kinetic isotope effect requires thiolate dissociation because it results in the formation of [PhN(H)C(O)CH2S]- which, as an anion, exhibits a stronger N-H...S hydrogen bonding interaction than that in [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph. Correspondingly, mechanisms that involve direct alkylation of coordinated thiolate are predicted to be characterized by kH/kD < or = 1 because the reaction involves a reduction of the negative charge on sulfur and hence a weakening of the N-H...S hydrogen bonding interaction.     

Phenoxyl radicals: H-bonded and coordinated to Cu(II) and Zn(II)

Two pro-ligands ((R)LH) comprised of an o,p-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenol covalently bonded to a benzimidazole ((Bz)LH) or a 4,5-di-p-methoxyphenyl substituted imidazole ((PhOMe)LH), have been structurally characterised. Each possesses an intramolecular O-H[dot dot dot]N hydrogen bond between the phenolic O-H group and an imidazole nitrogen atom and (1)H NMR studies show that this bond is retained in solution. Each (R)LH undergoes an electrochemically reversible, one-electron, oxidation to form the [(R)LH] (+) radical cation that is considered to be stabilised by an intramolecular O...H-N hydrogen bond. The (R)LH pro-ligands react with M(BF(4))(2).H(2)O (M = Cu or Zn) in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [M((R)L)(2)] compound. [Cu((Bz)L)(2)] (), [Cu((PhOMe)L)(2)] (), [Zn((Bz)L)(2)] and [Zn((PhOMe)L)(2)] have been isolated and the structures of .4MeCN, .2MeOH, .2MeCN and .2MeCN determined by X-ray crystallography. In each compound the metal possesses an N(2)O(2)-coordination sphere: in .4MeCN and .2MeOH the {CuN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted square planar geometry; in .2MeCN and .2MeCN the {ZnN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The X-band EPR spectra of both and , in CH(2)Cl(2)-DMF (9 : 1) solution at 77 K, are consistent with the presence of a Cu(ii) complex having the structure identified by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have shown that each undergo two, one-electron, oxidations; the potentials of these processes and the UV/vis and EPR properties of the products indicate that each oxidation is ligand-based. The first oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+), comprising a M(ii) centre bound to a phenoxide ((R)L) and a phenoxyl radical ((R)L ) ligand; these cations have been generated electrochemically and, for R = PhOMe, chemically by oxidation with Ag[BF(4)]. The second oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L )(2)](2+). The information obtained from these investigations shows that a suitable pro-ligand design allows a relatively inert phenoxyl radical to be generated, stabilised by either a hydrogen bond, as in [(R)LH] (+) (R = Bz or PhOMe), or by coordination to a metal, as in [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+) (M = Cu or Zn; R = Bz or PhOMe). Coordination to a metal is more effective than hydrogen bonding in stabilising a phenoxyl radical and Cu(ii) is slightly more effective than Zn(II) in this respect.     

Reaction of vinyl chloride with late transition metal olefin polymerization catalysts

The reactions of vinyl chloride (VC) with representative late metal, single-site olefin dimerization and polymerization catalysts have been investigated. VC coordinates more weakly than ethylene or propylene to the simple catalyst (Me(2)bipy)PdMe(+) (Me(2)bipy = 4,4'-Me(2)-2,2'-bipyridine). Insertion rates of (Me(2)bipy)Pd(Me)(olefin)(+) species vary in the order VC > ethylene > propylene. The VC complexes (Me(2)bipy)Pd(Me)(VC)(+) and (alpha-diimine)Pd(Me)(VC)(+) (alpha-diimine = (2,6-(i)Pr(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))N[double bond]CMeCMe[double bond]N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))) undergo net 1,2 VC insertion and beta-Cl elimination to yield Pd[bond]Cl species and propylene. Analogous chemistry occurs for (pyridine-bisimine)MCl(2)/MAO catalysts (M = Fe, Co; pyridine-bisimine = 2,6-[(2,6-(i)Pr(2)[bond]C(6)H(3))N[double bond]CMe](2)-pyridine) and for neutral (sal)Ni(Ph)PPh(3) and (P[bond]O)Ni(Ph)PPh(3) catalysts (sal = 2-[C(H)[double bond]N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3))]-6-Ph-phenoxide; P[bond]O = [Ph(2)PC(SO(3)Na)[double bond]C(p-tol)O]), although the initial metal alkyl VC adducts were not detected in these cases. These results show that the L(n)MCH(2)CHClR species formed by VC insertion into the active species of late metal olefin polymerization catalysts undergo rapid beta-Cl elimination which precludes VC polymerization. Termination of chain growth by beta-Cl elimination is the most significant obstacle to metal-catalyzed insertion polymerization of VC.     

A non-classical hydrogen bond in the molybdenum arene complex [eta 6-C6H5C6H3(Ph)OH]Mo(PMe3)3: evidence that hydrogen bonding facilitates oxidative addition of the O-H bond

Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with 2,6-Ph2C6H3OH to give the eta 6-arene complex [eta 6-C6H5C6H3(Ph)OH]Mo(PMe3)3 which exhibits a non-classical Mo...H-OAr hydrogen bond; DFT calculations indicate that the hydrogen bonding interaction facilitates oxidative addition of the O-H bond to give [eta 6,eta 1-C6H5C6H3(Ph)O]Mo(PMe3)2H.