N → Sn coordination in the complexes of tin halides with pyridine: A comparison between Sn(II) and Sn(IV)

The experimentally well‐known complexation of tin(II) and tin(IV) halides with pyridine (py) leads to structures showing N → Sn coordination. In the present work, the complexes SnX_n·mpy (where X = F, Cl, Br, I; n = 2, 4; m = 1, 2) possessing this kind of coordination were studied using a computational quantum chemical approach. Various aspects in the theoretical picture of these complexes were examined to find similarities and differences in their N → Sn coordination. The aspects included, among others, the physical nature of intermolecular interactions, and their role in establishing the structure and energetic stabilization of the complexes. In this context, the effect of tin valency was inspected in great detail. As proven by several theoretical methods, a largely ionic character with a certain covalent component can be attributed to the studied N → Sn coordination, irrespective of tin valency. All complexes are destabilized by py‐py and three‐body interactions, but the Sn(II) complexes experience it to a greater extent. Marked differences are observed in the structural behavior of N → Sn and SnX_n during complex formation. This affects the energetics of complexation and, in consequence, the penta‐coordinated Sn(IV) center shows a higher propensity to expand its coordination number, compared with the tri‐coordinated Sn(II) center. The present study supplements the experimental characterization of SnX_n·mpy and, in general, it sheds light on the coordination of heteroaromatic nitrogen to tin. The survey of the Cambridge Structural Database revealed that such coordination occurred in a number of crystal structures.     

Lithiation of tricarbonylchromium complexes with polyaromatic carbo-and heterocyclic ligands. DFT study

The reactions of tricarbonylchromium complexes of polyaromatic carbo-and heterocyclic derivatives with BuⁿLi was studied by the density functional theory. The kinetic and thermodynamic factors for controlling the direction and selectivity of metallation were calculated for the model biphenylenetricarbonylchromium complex. Both approaches indicate that lithiation occurs exclusively at the aromatic ring bonded to the transition metal, which agrees with experimental data, while the selectivity inside this ring is determined more exactly by the thermodynamic factor. The solvation effects were simulated for the lithium salt of the tricarbonylnaphthalenechromium complex in which the lithium atom is localized in position 1 of the coordinated ring. The simulation showed the stable coordination of the lithium atom with two THF molecules, and the addition of the next THF molecule is thermodynamically unfavorable. The results of calculation of the relative energies for all possible THF-solvated lithium salts of the tricarbonylchromium complexes of biphenyl, naphthalene, biphenylene, and dibenzothiophene indicate that the difference in energies Δ E ≤ 1 kcal mol⁻¹ corresponds to the experimentally observed absence of selectivity, while the difference more than 2.5 kcal mol⁻¹ corresponds to the selectivity of the reaction. No additional coordination of the lithium atom to the free electron pair of the heteroatom was observed for the sulfur-containing dibenzothiophene complex. Similar calculations show that double metallation in the dibenzothiophene complex occurs at positions 1 and 4. The developed approach enables one to predict the direction and selectivity of metallation reactions of transition metal complexes with different arenes. Dedicated to Academician N. S. Zefirov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1993–2003, September, 2005.     

Conformational features of Cl3P=NC(CF3)3 and Cl3P=NCCl(CCl3)2 molecules according to results of non-empirical calculations

Non-empirical RHF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* quantum chemical methods are used to calculate the molecular structure of trichlorophosphazene compounds: Cl₃P=NC(CF₃)₃ (I) and Cl₃P=NCCl(CCl₃)₂ (II). The corresponding geometric parameters obtained from the calculations are compared with X-ray diffraction analysis data reported in the literature. Conformational differences between the molecules of I and II, previously found by X-ray diffraction in the crystals of these compounds, are confirmed by non-empirical calculations of the molecules in the free state. The features of their geometry caused by intramolecular interactions are discussed.     

Preparation,characterization and biological evaluation of two chiral binuclear copper(II) complexes

Two chiral Cu(II) complexes of [Cu₂(R‐L)₂](PF₆)₂·2C₂H₅OH ( 1 ) and [Cu₂(S‐L)₂](PF₆)₂·2C₂H₅OH ( 2 ) (HL = 2‐(Bis(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino)‐1‐propanol) were designed and synthesized to serve as chemical nucleases and anticancer drugs. X‐ray crystallography revealed that two complexes contain chiral binuclear cations and PF₆^? anions. The interaction of two complexes with CT‐DNA was researched via various spectroscopic techniques and viscosity measurement, indicating that the complexes were bound to CT‐DNA by a classical intercalation binding mode. In addition, the two complexes exhibited remarkable DNA cleavage activity with an optimal dosage of 10 μM in the absence of any exogenous oxidant agent. Both of the complexes showed excellent in vitro cytotoxicity on A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. Moreover, complex 2 could damage DNA of A549 cells into fragmentation and then induced cell apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner, which was demonstrated by comet assay and Hoechst 33342 staining experiment. Further research showed that complex 2 could also induce G₂ and S phase cell cycle arrest.     

The Challenge of Linear (E)‐Enones in the Rh‐Catalyzed,Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition Reaction of Phenylboronic Acid: A DFT Computational Analysis

Why are linear (E)‐enones such challenging substrates in the Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric arylation with boronic acids, which is one of the most important asymmetric catalysis methods? DFT computations show that these substrates adopt a specific conformation in which the largest substituent is antiperiplanar to Rh^I π‐complexed with the C?C bond within the enantioselectivity‐determining carborhodation transition state. Additionally, for such structures, there is a strong, but not exclusive, preference for s‐cis enone conformation. This folding minimizes steric interactions between the substrate and the ligand, and hence reduces the enantioselectivity. This idea is further confirmed by investigating three computation‐only substrate “probes”, one of which is capable of double asymmetric induction, and a recent computationally designed 1,5‐diene ligand. On average, excellent agreement between predicted and experimental enantioselectivity was attained by a three‐pronged approach: 1) thorough conformational search within ligand and substrate subunits to locate the most preferred carborhodation transition state; 2) including dispersion interaction and long‐range corrections by SMD/ωB97xD/DGDZVP level of theory; and 3) full substrate and ligand modeling. Based on the results, a theory‐enhanced enantioselectivity model that is applicable to both chiral diene and diphosphane ligands is proposed.     

Synthetic,Mechanistic And Biological Aspects of Phosphorus-Sulfonic Acids Anhydrides. Direct Evidence for The SN1 (P)-Ionic Mechanism in Phosphorus Chemistry

Abstract

Special attention in this Laboratory has been recently given towards the chemistry of phosphorus-sulfur acids anhydrides RR¹P(X)-O-SO₂-R² (X[dbnd]0, S, Se) 1.     

Configurationally Labile Lithiated O‐Benzyl Carbamates: Application in Asymmetric Synthesis and Quantum Chemical Investigations on the Equilibrium of Diastereomers

The title compounds were generated by deprotonation of different benzyl‐type carbamates with sec‐butyllithium in the presence of chiral diamines (?)‐sparteine or diisopropyl and di‐tert‐butyl bis(oxazoline)s. These lithiated species exhibit configurational lability at ?78 °C. In the case of the chiral di‐tert‐butyl bis(oxazoline), the equilibrium of the epimeric complexes can be used synthetically to obtain highly enantioenriched secondary benzyl carbamates. The enantiodetermining step was proven to be a dynamic thermodynamic resolution. The absolute configurations of the products were determined, and the stereochemical pathways of selected substitution reactions were thus elucidated. High‐level quantum chemical investigations were performed to gain insight into the experimentally investigated system. To obtain an accuracy for the energy difference (ΔΔH) between two epimeric complexes of about 0.5 kcal mol^?1 as well as the correct sign, a theoretical procedure was established. It included geometry optimization at the dispersion‐corrected DFT level, computation of zero‐point vibrational energies, and single‐point SCS‐MP2 energy calculations with large atomic‐orbital basis sets.     

From an α‐Functionalized Silicon‐Stereogenic N,O‐Silane to a Monomeric and Tetracoordinate tBuLi Adduct with Lithium‐Centered Chirality

Donor‐functionalized silanes with stereogenic silicon centers are extremely rare. A convenient stereocontrolled route to a nitrogen‐oxygen‐functionalized silicon‐chiral compound with an additional aminomethyl function is presented. This silane was directly achieved in stereochemically pure form by a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction. Owing to the unique asymmetry of this silane and the presence of three donor functions, the first monomeric butyllithium compound with lithium‐centered chirality could be isolated; the configuration was assigned by X‐ray crystallography. This [silane? tBuLi] complex undergoes an unexpected deprotonation/stereospecific substitution sequence in toluene, leading to the development of a convenient one‐pot synthesis of a functionalized silicon‐chiral benzylsilane, which proceeds with inversion of configuration and complete preservation of the stereochemical integrity at silicon.     

Steric Effects on the Structures,Reactivity, and Coordination Chemistry of Tris(2‐pyridyl)aluminates

Introducing substituents in the 6‐position of the 2‐pyridyl rings of tris(pyridyl)aluminate anions, of the type [EtAl(2‐py′)₃]^? (py′=a substituted 2‐pyridyl group), has a large impact on their metal coordination characteristics. This is seen most remarkably in the desolvation of the THF solvate [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li?THF] to give the monomer [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 1 ), containing a pyramidal, three‐coordinate Li⁺ cation. Similar monomeric complexes are observed for [EtAl(6‐CF₃‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 2 ) and [EtAl(6‐Br‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 3 ), which contain CF₃ and Br substituents (R). This steric influence can be exploited in the synthesis of a new class of terminal Al?OH complexes, as is seen in the controlled hydrolysis of 2 and 3 to give [EtAl(OH)(6‐R‐2‐py)₂]^? anions, as in the dimer [EtAl(OH)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 5 ). Attempts to deprotonate the Al?OH group of 5 using Et₂Zn led only to the formation of the zincate complex [LiZn(6‐Br‐py)₃]₂ ( 6 ), while reactions of the 6‐Br substituted 3 and the unsubstituted complex [EtAl(2‐py)₃Li] with MeOH give [EtAl(OMe)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 7 ) and [EtAl(OMe)(2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 8 ), respectively, having similar dimeric arrangements to 5 . The combined studies presented provide key synthetic methods for the functionalization and elaboration of tris(pyridyl)aluminate ligands.     

Synthesis and Structures of Homoleptic Methyl‐ and Phenylthiomethylaluminium Complexes [Al(CH2SR)3](R = Me,Ph)

Sulfur‐substituted methylmercury compounds [Hg(CH₂SR)₂]( 1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Ph ) react with aluminium amalgam in refluxing toluene with transmetallation to give homoleptic tris(thiomethyl)aluminium complexes [Al(CH₂SR)₃]( 2a, R = Me; 2b, R = Ph ) (degree of conversion: >80%, isolated yields: 2a 63%, 2b 41%). Their identities were confirmed by NMR spectros‐copy (¹H, ¹³C) and X‐ray crystal structure analyses. In crystals of compound 2a the aluminium atoms possess a trigonal‐bipyramidal arrangement with the coordination polyhedron defined by three carbon and two sulfur atoms. Two of the three CH₂SMe ligands are bridging ligands (μ‐η²; 1kC:2kS), the third one is terminal bound (η¹; kC). The structure is polymeric. Crystals are threaded by helical chains built up of six‐membered Al₂C₂S₂ rings. Crystals of 2b are built up of centrosymmetrical dimers with six‐membered Al₂C₂S₂ rings having bridging CH₂SPh ligands (μ‐η²; 1kC:2kS). On each Al atom two terminal (η¹; kC)CH₂SPh ligands are bound. They exhibit quite different Al‐C‐S angles (116.7(4) and 106.5(3)?). Similar values (114.32115.7? and 109.52109.9?) were found in ab initio calculations of model compounds [{Al(CH₂SR)₃}₂]( 3a, R=H; 3b, R=Me; 3c, R=CH=CH₂ ). A conformational energy diagram for rotation of one of the terminal CH₂SH ligand in the parent compound 3a around the Al‐C bond is discussed in terms of repulsive interactions of lone electron pairs of sulfur atoms.     

Atropisomeric discrimination in new Ru(II) complexes containing the C(2)-symmetric didentate chiral phenyl-1,2-bisoxazolinic ligand

A new family of Ru(II) complexes containing the tridentate meridional 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (trpy) ligand, a C(2)-symmetric didentate chiral oxazolinic ligand 1,2-bis[4'-alkyl-4',5'-dihydro-2'-oxazolyl]benzene (Phbox-R, R = Et or iPr), and a monodentate ligand, of general formula [Ru(Y)(trpy)(Phbox-R)](n+) (Y = Cl, H(2)O, py, MeCN, or 2-OH-py (2-hydroxypyridine)) have been prepared and thoroughly characterized. In the solid state the complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction analysis in two cases. In solution, UV/Vis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy techniques have been used. We have also performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations with these complexes to interpret and complement experimental results. The oxazolinic ligand Phbox-R exhibits free rotation along the phenyloxazoline axes. Upon coordination this rotation is restricted by an energy barrier of 26.0 kcal mol(-1) for the case of [Ru(trpy)(Phbox-iPr)(MeCN)](2+) thus preventing its potential interconversion. Furthermore due to steric effects the two atropisomers differ in energy by 5.7 kcal mol(-1) and as a consequence only one of them is obtained in the synthesis. Subtle but important structural effects occur upon changing the monodentate ligands that are detected by NMR spectroscopy in solution and interpreted by using their calculated DFT structures.