Protonation of metal‐bound α‐hydroxycarboxylate ligand and implication for the role of homocitrate in nitrogenase: Computational study of the oxy‐bidentate chelate ring opening

Protonation of the metal‐bound oxy‐bidentate ligand in the model complexes of [(HS)₃(NH₃)M(OCH₂COO)]^q (M = Mo, Fe, V, Co; q = ?2, ?1) in the gas phase and in solutions of water and acetonitrile has been explored by the density functional approach. Calculations show that protonation of the carboxyl oxygen can open the α‐hydroxycarboxylate chelate ring ligated to a transition‐metal center under specific oxidation and spin states. The feasibility of the chelate ring opening by protonation depends on the electronic nature of the metal site in tune with conversion of a six‐coordinate with a five‐coordinate metal atom. Such selective dissociation of the metal‐bound chelate ligand manipulates the availability of an empty site at the metal center and significantly affects reactivity of the metal‐mediated chemical processes. Protonation changes the stability of species with different spin multiplicities and impels spin transition at the metal center in dissociation of the oxy‐bidentate ligand. Solvent environments of water and acetonitrile play an important role in stabilizing the negatively charged species. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Unprecedented 1D Mixed-metal Polynuclear Cyclometalated Platinum Complexes： Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Spectroscopic Properties

The complexes [Pt2L2（μ-dppm）]（ClO4）2 （1） and {[Pt2L2（μ-dppm）Li（CH3CN）2]（ClO4）3}n （2）, where HL is 6-[4-（diethoxyphosphorylmethyl）phenyl]-2,2′-bipyridinyl and dppm is bis（diphenylphosphino）methane, have been synthesized and characterized. In complex 1 the platinum（Ⅱ） center adopts a distorted square planar coordination geometry. The polymer 2 exhibits a ＂stairstep＂ configuration with one-dimensional Pt（Ⅱ）N^N^CPO- Li（Ⅰ）-OPC^N^ NPt（Ⅱ） mixed-metal units which are linked through dppm. Both complexes have metal-metal interaction with Pt- Pt distances of 3.325（2） and 3.1432（9） A, respectively, and display strong metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer （MMLCT） triplet state emission. The density-functional-theory calculation was used to interpret the absorption spectra of the complexes.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of o‐Carboranyl with Aryl Iodides: Facile Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐o‐Carboranes and 1,2‐Diaryl‐o‐Carboranes

A nickel‐catalyzed arylation at the carbon center of o‐carborane cages has been developed, thus leading to the preparation of a series of 1‐aryl‐o‐carboranes and 1,2‐diaryl‐o‐carboranes in high yields upon isolation. This method represents the first example of transition metal catalyzed C,C′‐diarylation by cross‐coupling reactions of o‐carboranyl with aryl iodides.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of ZnII α‐Diimine Complexes with Chloride and Thiocyanate Co‐Ligands

The preparation and spectroscopic and structural characterization of three Zn^II complexes with bis[N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)imine]acenaphthene, L¹, and with bis[N‐(2‐ethylphenyl)imine]acenaphthene, L², are decribed herein. Two of the complexes were prepared from ZnCl₂ and the third from Zn(NCS)₂. One‐pot reaction techniques were used, leading to high yields. The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structures of the complexes are significantly different, with the chloride‐containing species forming distorted tetrahedra around the metal, whereas its thiocyanate analog is dimeric, with each metal at the center of a distorted square pyramid, with bridging and terminal [SCN]^– ligands.     

Theoretical Insights into the Tuning of Metal Binding Sites of Paddlewheels in rht‐Metal–Organic Frameworks

Theoretical investigations of CO₂ sorption are performed in four members of the highly tunable rht‐metal–organic framework (MOF) platform. rht‐MOFs contain two Cu²⁺ ions that comprise the metal paddlewheels and both are in chemically distinct environments. Indeed, one type of Cu²⁺ ion faces toward the center of the linker whereas the other type faces away from the center of the linker. Electronic structure calculations on the series of rht‐MOFs demonstrate that one of the Cu²⁺ ions has a consistently higher charge magnitude relative to the other. As a consequence, the Cu²⁺ ion with the higher partial positive charge acts as the favored sorbate binding site at initial loading as revealed by grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations that include many‐body polarization. It was found that the charge distribution about the copper paddlewheels is dependent on the type of functional groups present on the linker. This study demonstrates how the binding site about the metal paddlewheels in the rht‐MOF platform can be controlled by changing the functionality on the organic ligand.     

Adenine Components in Biomimetic Metal–Organic Frameworks for Efficient CO2 Photoconversion

Visible‐light driven photoconversion of CO₂ into energy carriers is highly important to the natural carbon balance and sustainable development. Demonstrated here is the adenine‐dependent CO₂ photoreduction performance in green biomimetic metal–organic frameworks. Photocatalytic results indicate that AD‐MOF‐2 exhibited a very high HCOOH production rate of 443.2 μmol g^?1 h^?1 in pure aqueous solution, and is more than two times higher than that of AD‐MOF‐1 (179.0 μmol g^?1h^?1) in acetonitrile solution. Significantly, experimental and theoretical evidence reveal that the CO₂ photoreduction reaction mainly takes place at the aromatic nitrogen atom of adenine molecules through a unique o‐amino‐assisted activation rather than at the metal center. This work not only serves as an important case study for the development of green biomimetic photocatalysts used for artificial photosynthesis, but also proposes a new catalytic strategy for efficient CO₂ photoconversion.     

1‐Ferrocenylmethyl‐3‐(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl)‐1H‐imidazolidin‐3‐ium iodide and trans‐bis(3‐benzyl‐1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐1H‐imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)diiodidopalladium(II)

Owing to increasing interest in the use of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) based on imidazolidinium ions as ligands in the design of highly efficient transition‐metal‐based homogeneous catalysts, the characterizations of the 1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐3‐(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl)imidazolidin‐3‐ium iodide salt, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₉H₂₄N₂)]I, (I), and the palladium complex trans‐bis(3‐benzyl‐1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐1H‐imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)diiodidopalladium(II), [Fe₂Pd(C₅H₅)₂(C₁₆H₁₇N₂)₂I₂], (II), are reported. Compound (I) has two iodide anions and two imidazolidinium cations within the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). The two cations have distinctly different conformations, with the ferrocene groups orientated exo and endo with respect to the N‐heterocyclic carbene. Weak C—H donor hydrogen bonds to both the iodide anions and the π system of the mesitylene group combine to form two‐dimensional layers perpendicular to the crystallographic c direction. Only one of the formally charged imidazolidinium rings forms a near‐linear hydrogen bond with an iodide anion. Complex (II) shows square‐planar coordination around the Pd^II metal, which is located on an inversion centre (Z′ = 0.5). The ferrocene and benzyl substituents are in a trans–anti arrangement. The Pd—C bond distance between the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands and the metal atom is 2.036 (7) Å. A survey of related structures shows that the lengthening of the N—C bonds and the closure of the N—C—N angle seen here on metal complexation is typical of similar NHCs and their complexes.     

An Efficient,Visible‐Light‐Driven,Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/Zn_xCd_1−xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER.     

An Efficient,Visible‐Light‐Driven,Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/Zn_xCd_1?xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g^?1 h^?1 and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER.     

Metal‐Catalyzed Sequential Formation of Distant Bonds in Organic Molecules: Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation/Cyclization of 1,n‐Dienes by Chain Walking

Sequential formation of distant bonds in organic molecules was achieved for the palladium‐catalyzed hydrosilylation/cyclization of various 1,n‐dienes by chain walking of the metal catalyst. The reaction was applicable to various 1,n‐dienes, including a 1,13‐diene, to form a cyclopentane ring as well as a carbon–silicon bond at a remote site. The use of “nondissociative” chain walking provides a fascinating strategy in organic synthesis to functionalize distant parts of organic molecules, in a particular order, within a catalytic cycle by effectively moving the reactive center from a remote position.     

Keeping PASE with WEFT: SHWEFT–PASE pulse sequences for 1H NMR spectra of highly paramagnetic molecules

Metalloproteins are a category of biomolecules in which the metal site is usually the locus of activity or function. In many cases, the metal ions are paramagnetic or have accessible paramagnetic states, many of which can be studied using NMR spectroscopy. Extracting useful information from ¹H NMR spectra of highly paramagnetic proteins can be difficult because the paramagnetism leads to large resonance shifts (~400 ppm), extremely broad lines, extreme baseline nonlinearity, and peak shape distortion. It is demonstrated that employing polychromatic and adiabatic shaped pulses in simple pulse sequences, then combining existing sequences, leads to significant spectral improvement for highly paramagnetic proteins. These sequences employ existing technology, with available hardware, and are of short duration to accommodate short nuclear T₁ and T₂. They are shown to display uniform excitation over large spectral widths (~75 kHz), accommodate high repetition rates, produce flat baselines over 75 kHz while maintaining peak shape fidelity, and can be used to reduce spectral dynamic range. High‐spin (S = 5/2) metmyoglobin, a prototypical highly paramagnetic protein, was used as the test molecule. The resulting one‐dimensional (1D) pulse sequences combine shaped pulses with super‐water elimination Fourier transform, which can be further combined with paramagnetic spectroscopy to give shaped pulses with super‐water elimination Fourier transform–paramagnetic spectroscopy. These sequences require, at most, direct current offset correction and minimal phasing. The performance of these sequences in simple ¹H 1D, 1D NOE, and two‐dimensional NOESY experiments is demonstrated for metmyoglobin and Paracoccus denitrificans Co²⁺‐amicyanin (S = 3/2), and employed to make new heme hyperfine resonance assignments for high‐spin metBjFixLH_151–256, the heme sensing domain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum FixL. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Dual‐Stereocontrol Mechanism: Heteroselective Polymerization of rac‐Lactide and Syndioselective Polymerization of meso‐Lactide by Chiral Aluminum Salan Catalysts

We describe alkoxo‐aluminum catalysts of chiral bipyrrolidine‐based salan ligands that follow the dual‐stereocontrol mechanism wherein a given combination of stereogeneities at the metal site and the proximal center of the last inserted lactidyl (“match”) is active towards lactide having a proximal stereogenic center of the opposite configuration, while the diastereomeric combination of stereogeneities (“mismatch”) is inactive towards any lactide. Polymerization of rac‐LA by the enantiomerically pure catalysts was sluggish and gave stereoirregular poly(lactic acid) (PLA) because selective insertion to a match diastereomer gives a mismatch diastereomer. The racemic catalysts showed higher activity and led to highly heterotactic PLA following polymeryl exchange between two mismatched catalyst enantiomers. A succession of match diastereomers in selective meso‐LA insertions led to syndiotactic PLAs reaching a syndiotacticity degree of α=0.96. This polymer featured a T_m of 153 °C matching the highest reported value, and the highest crystallinity (ΔH_m=56 J g^?1) ever reported for syndiotactic PLA.     

Synthetic, structural, and theoretical investigations of alkali metal germanium hydrides--contact molecules and separated ions

The preparation of a series of crown ether ligated alkali metal (M=K, Rb, Cs) germyl derivatives M(crown ether)_nGeH₃ through the hydrolysis of the respective tris(trimethylsilyl)germanides is reported. Depending on the alkali metal and the crown ether diameter, the hydrides display either contact molecules or separated ions in the solid state, providing a unique structural insight into the geometry of the obscure GeH₃^? ion. Germyl derivatives displaying M? Ge bonds in the solid state are of the general formula [M([18]crown‐6)(thf)GeH₃] with M=K ( 1 ) and M=Rb ( 4 ). The compounds display an unexpected geometry with two of the GeH₃ hydrogen atoms closely approaching the metal center, resulting in a partially inverted structure. Interestingly, the lone pair at germanium is not pointed towards the alkali metal, rather two of the three hydrides are approaching the alkali metal center to display M? H interactions. Separated ions display alkali metal cations bound to two crown ethers in a sandwich‐type arrangement and non‐coordinated GeH₃^? ions to afford complexes of the type [M(crown ether)₂][GeH₃] with M=K, crown ether=[15]crown‐5 ( 2 ); M=K, crown ether=[12]crown‐4 ( 3 ); and M=Cs, crown ether=[18]crown‐6 ( 5 ). The highly reactive germyl derivatives were characterized by using X‐ray crystallography, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) and second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations were performed to analyze the geometry of the GeH₃^? ion in the contact molecules 1 and 4 .     

Metallic and Mott Insulating Spin‐Frustrated Antiferromagnetic States in Ionic Fullerene Complexes with a Two‐Dimensional Hexagonal C60.− Packing Motif

(MDABCO⁺)(C₆₀^.?)(TPC) ( 1 ), in which MDABCO⁺ is N‐methyldiazabicyclooctanium, TPC is triptycene, and both have threefold symmetry, is a rare example of a fullerene‐based quasi‐2D metal and contains closely packed hexagonal fullerene layers with interfullerene center‐to‐center distances of 10.07 Å at 300 K. Evidence for the metallic nature of 1 was obtained by optical and microwave conductivity measurements on single crystals. The metal is characterized by a nontypical Drude response and relatively large optical mass (m*/m₀=6.7). The latter indicates a narrow‐band nature, which is consistent with the calculated bandwidth of 0.10–0.15 eV. The coexistence of metallic and antiferromagnetic nonmetallic 2D layers was observed in 1 above 200–230 K. It was assumed that the nonmetallic layers undergo a transition to the metallic state below 200 K due to ordering of the fullerene and cationic sublattices. New layered complex (MQ⁺)(C₆₀^.?)(TPC) ( 2 ) with a hexagonal arrangement of C₆₀^.? was obtained by increasing the interfullerene distance with the bulkier N‐methylquinuclidinium cations (MQ⁺) having threefold symmetry. The structure of 2 is characterized by increased interfullerene center‐to‐center distances in the layers (10.124, 10.155, and 10.177 Å at 250 K). Unit‐cell doubling parallel to the 2D layer (along the b axis) was observed at low temperatures. In contrast to metallic 1 , 2 exhibits a nonmetallic spin‐frustrated state with an antiferromagnetic interaction of spins (the Weiss temperature is ?27 K) and no magnetic ordering down to 1.9 K. It was supposed that the expanded interfullerene distances in the triangular arrangement decrease the bandwidth and suppress metallic conductivity in 2 , and thus a Mott–Hubbard insulating state with antiferromagnetically frustrated spins results.     

catena‐Poly[[dichloridomercury(II)]‐μ‐1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1H‐benzotriazole]: the effect of different metal centers on the self‐assembly of coordination complexes

To further investigate the relationship between the structures of benzotriazol‐1‐yl‐based pyridyl ligands and their complexes, a new linear one‐dimensional Hg^II coordination polymer, [HgCl₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)]_n, with the 1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1H‐benzotriazole (L) ligand was obtained through the reaction of L with HgCl₂. In this complex, each Hg^II center within the one‐dimensional chain is coordinated by two chloride anions as well as by one pyridine and one benzotriazole N‐atom donor of two distinct L ligands in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, forming a linear one‐dimensional chain running along the [010] direction. Weak C—H...π and π–π stacking interactions link the one‐dimensional motifs to generate an overall two‐dimensional network parallel to the (100) plane. Comparison of the structural differences with previous findings suggests that the presence of different metal centers may plays an important role in the construction of such supramolecular frameworks.     

Anionically Substituted 1,1′,1″‐Methylidynetris[1H‐pyrazole] Ligands for the Formation of Neutral Lanthanide Complexes in Water: Synthesis,Characterization, and Photophysical Properties

The six‐step synthesis of the new podand‐type ligand 6,6′,6″‐[methylidenetri(1H‐pyrazole‐1,3‐diyl)]tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] (LH₃) is described. Reaction of LH₃ with LnCl₃ ?6 H₂O (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb) in MeOH resulted in the isolation of [LnL]?HCl complexes characterized by elemental analysis, mass and IR spectroscopy. Photophysical studies of the Eu and Tb complexes in aqueous solutions revealed the characteristic luminescence features of the metal atoms, indicative of an efficient ligand‐to‐metal energy‐transfer process. Determination of the luminescence quantum yields in H₂O showed the Tb complex to be highly luminescent (?=15%), while, for the Eu complex, the quantum efficiency was only 2%. Excited‐state‐lifetime measurements in H₂O and D₂O evidenced the presence of ca. three H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the complexes. Investigation of the Gd complex allowed the determination of the ligand‐centered triplet state and showed the ligand to be well suited for energy transfer to the metal. The luminescence properties of the complexes are described, and the properties of the ligand as a suitable complexation pocket is questioned.     

Insertion/Rearrangement Reactivity of a Lutetacyclopentadiene towards N,N′‐Diphenylcarbodiimide: Cooperative Effect of the Metal Center,Concentration of LiCl,and Solvent

The reactivity of lutetacyclopentadiene towards N,N′‐diphenylcarbodiimide (DPC) was systematically investigated to efficiently construct three types of new N‐containing fused cyclic complexes. The outcome of these reactions significantly depended on the the metal center, the concentration of LiCl, the number of equivalents of DPC, and the solvent. Thus, two unexpected reaction modes of amidinate were discovered for the first time, which were ascribed to an unusual κ¹ coordination mode of amidinate driven by a rigid seven‐membered ring. These results are in striking contrast with the previously well‐investigated zirconacyclopentadiene, which reacts with DPC to give azazirconacyclopentene and alkyne through β,β′ C?C bond cleavage. The difference in reactivity between lutetacyclopentadiene and zirconacyclopentadiene can be attributed to the highly ionic character of the Lu?C(sp²) bonds. DFT calculations agreed well with the experimental results.     

Highly Enantioselective Formation of α‐Allyl‐α‐Arylcyclopentanones via Pd‐Catalysed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

A highly enantioselective Pd‐catalysed decarboxylative asymmetric allylic alkylation of cyclopentanone derived α‐aryl‐β‐keto esters employing the (R,R)‐ANDEN‐phenyl Trost ligand has been developed. The product (S)‐α‐allyl‐α‐arylcyclopentanones were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to >99.9 % ee). This represents one of the most highly enantioselective formations of an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center reported to date. This reaction was demonstrated on a 4.0 mmol scale without any deterioration of enantioselectivity and was exploited as the key enantioselective transformation in an asymmetric formal synthesis of the natural product (+)‐tanikolide.     

Metal‐Size Influence in Iso‐Selective Lactide Polymerization

Iso‐selective initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐lactide are rare outside of Group 13. We describe the first examples of highly iso‐selective lutetium initiators. The phosphasalen lutetium ethoxide complex shows excellent iso‐selectivity, with a P_i value of 0.81–0.84 at 298 K, excellent rates, and high degrees of polymerization control. Conversely, the corresponding La derivative exhibits moderate heteroselectivity (P_s=0.74, 298 K). Thus, the choice of metal center is shown to be crucial in determining the level and mode of stereocontrol. The relative order of rates for the series of complexes is inversely related to metallic covalent radius: that is, La>Y>Lu.     

Triptycene‐Based Chiral and meso‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Metal Complexes

Based on 1‐amino‐4‐hydroxy‐triptycene, new saturated and unsaturated triptycene‐NHC (N‐heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized from glyoxal‐derived diimines. The respective carbenes were converted into metal complexes [(NHC)MX] (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=Cl, Br) and [(NHC)MCl(cod)] (M=Rh, Ir; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in good yields. The new azolium salts and metal complexes suffer from limited solubility in common organic solvents. Consequently, the introduction of solubilizing groups (such as 2‐ethylhexyl or 1‐hexyl by O‐alkylation) is essential to render the complexes soluble. The triptycene unit infers special steric properties onto the metal complexes that enable the steric shielding of selected areas close to the metal center. Next, chiral and meso‐triptycene based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were prepared. The key step in the synthesis of the chiral ligand is the Buchwald–Hartwig amination of 1‐bromo‐4‐butoxy‐triptycene with (1S,2S)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane, followed by cyclization to the azolinium salt with HC(OEt)₃. The analogous reaction with meso‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane provides the respective meso‐azolinium salt. Both the chiral and meso‐azolinium salts were converted into metal complexes including [(NHC)AuCl], [(NHC)RhCl(cod)], [(NHC)IrCl(cod)], and [(NHC)PdCl(allyl)]. An in situ prepared chiral copper complex was tested in the enantioselective borylation of α,β‐unsaturated esters and found to give an excellent enantiomeric ratio (er close to 90:10).