Insight into substrate binding in Shibasaki's Li3(THF)n(BINOLate)3Ln complexes and implications in catalysis

Heterobimetallic Lewis acids M 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3Ln [M = Li, Na, K; Ln = lanthanide(III)] are exceptionally useful asymmetric catalysts that exhibit high levels of enantioselectivity across a wide range of reactions. Despite their prominence, important questions remain regarding the nature of the catalyst-substrate interactions and, therefore, the mechanism of catalyst operation. Reported herein are the isolation and structural characterization of 7- and 8-coordinate heterobimetallic complexes Li 3(THF) 4(BINOLate) 3Ln(THF) [Ln = La, Pr, and Eu], Li 3(py) 5(BINOLate) 3Ln(py) [Ln = Eu and Yb], and Li 3(py) 5(BINOLate) 3La(py) 2 [py = pyridine]. Solution binding studies of cyclohexenone, DMF, and pyridine with Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3Ln [Ln = Eu, Pr, and Yb] and Li 3(DMEDA) 3(BINOLate) 3Ln [Ln = La and Eu; DMEDA = N, N'-dimethylethylene diamine] demonstrate binding of these Lewis basic substrate analogues to the lanthanide center. The paramagnetic europium, ytterbium, and praseodymium complexes Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3Ln induce relatively large lanthanide-induced shifts on substrate analogues that ranged from 0.5 to 4.3 ppm in the (1)H NMR spectrum. X-ray structure analysis and NMR studies of Li 3(DMEDA) 3(BINOLate) 3Ln [Ln = Lu, Eu, La, and the transition metal analogue Y] reveal selective binding of DMEDA to the lithium centers. Upon coordination of DMEDA, six new stereogenic nitrogen centers are formed with perfect diastereoselectivity in the solid state, and only a single diastereomer is observed in solution. The lithium-bound DMEDA ligands are not displaced by cyclohexenone, DMF, or THF on the NMR time scale. Use of the DMEDA adduct Li 3(DMEDA) 3(BINOLate) 3La in three catalytic asymmetric reactions led to enantioselectivities similar to those obtained with Shibasaki's Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3La complex. Also reported is a unique dimeric [Li 6(en) 7(BINOLate) 6Eu 2][mu-eta (1),eta (1)-en] structure [en = ethylenediamine]. On the basis of these studies, it is hypothesized that the lanthanide in Shibasaki's Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3Ln complexes cannot bind bidentate substrates in a chelating fashion. A hypothesis is also presented to explain why the lanthanide catalyst, Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3La, is often the most enantioselective of the Li 3(THF) n (BINOLate) 3Ln derivatives.     

The solvation of two electrons in the gaseous clusters of Na- (NH3)n and Li- (NH3)n

Alkali metal ammonia clusters, in their cationic, neutral, and anionic form, are molecular models for the alkali-ammonia solutions, which have rich variation of phases with the solvated electrons playing an important role. With two s electrons, the Na(-)(NH(3))(n) and Li(-)(NH(3))(n) clusters are unique in that they capture the important aspect of the coupling between two solvated electrons. By first principles calculations, we demonstrate that the two electrons are detached from the metal by n = 10, which produces a cluster with a solvated electron pair in the vicinity of a solvated alkali cation. The coupling of the two electrons leads to either the singlet or triplet state, both of which are stable. They are also quite distinct from the hydrated anionic clusters Na(-)(H(2)O)(n) and Li(-)(H(2)O)(n), in that the solvated electrons are delocalized and widely distributed among the solvent ammonia molecules. The Na(-)(NH(3))(n) and Li(-)(NH(3))(n) series, therefore, provide another interesting type of molecular model for the investigation of solvated electron pairs.     

Crystal structure investigation of ternary molybdates Li3Ba2Ln3(MoO4)3 (Ln=Gd,Tm)

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Institute of Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Buryat Institute of Natural Sciences, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 126–130, May–June, 1992.     

Unprecedented (Cu2Ln)n complexes (Ln = Gd3+, Tb3+): a new "single chain magnet"

The magnetic study of a trinuclear Cu-Gd-Cu complex confirms that such basic units self-assemble to yield a high spin species. A nice fit of the magnetic data is obtained for an infinite chain of tetranuclear Gd(2)Cu(2) motifs linked through the Gd ions located at the opposite vertexes of the tetranuclear motifs according to two Cu-Gd coordination modes, a double bridging through phenoxo and alkoxo oxygen atoms and a single bridging through deprotonated amide functions. The two interaction pathways are ferromagnetic. Alternating current susceptibility measurements confirm that the equivalent copper-terbium entity is a single chain magnet with a barrier height for reversal of the magnetization equal to 28.5 K.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Ln(4-Pyta)3(H2O)2] n (Ln = Nd,Ce, Eu,Gd; 4-Pyta = 4-pyridylthioacetate)

Four new lanthanide complexes, [Nd(4-Pyta)₃(H₂O)₂] _n (1), [Ce(4-Pyta)₃(H₂O)₂] _n (2), [Eu(4-Pyta)₃(H₂O)₂] _n (3) and [Gd(4-Pyta)₃(H₂O)₂] _n (4), have been obtained from reaction of lanthanide(III) nitrate with 4-Pyta (4-pyridylthioacetate) in water. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals belong to triclinic, space group P 1 and all complexes exhibit one-dimensional chains that arrange to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bonds between the chains.     

Molecular structure and infrared spectra of (HXeCN)n (n=2, 3 or 4)

The structure, energetics, and vibrational spectra of the (HXeCN)2 dimer were investigated at the CCSD(T), MP2 and B3LYP levels. Such properties of the (HXeCN)3 trimer and (HXeCN)4 tetramer were investigated at the B3LYP level. The dimer, trimer, and tetramer were predicted to have a C2h, C2v, and D2d structure, respectively. In all of these oligomers, the N?Xe intermonomeric interaction is the most important one for holding the monomers together. Included with the ZPVE and BSSE, the stabilization energy of the dimer is 12.36 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level, while those of the dimer, trimer, and tetramer are 10.42, 18.23, and 31.34 kcal/mol, respectively, at the B3LYP level. At the B3LYP level, with respect to those of the isolated monomer, the C-Xe and Xe-H asymmetric stretching frequencies are shifted by -11.2 and +128.0 cm(-1) for the dimer, -51.6, +220.7 and -11.5, +96.6 cm(-1) for the trimer, and -14.1 and +201.8 cm(-1) for the tetramer.     

Syntheses of (C_5H_9C_5H_4)_2LnCl(THF)_n (Ln=Nd, Sm, Er, Yb) and crystal structure of [(C_5H_9C_5H_4)_2-LnCl(THF)_n]_2(Ln=Sm, n=1; Ln=Er, n=0)

Reactions of lanthanoid trichlorides with sodium cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl in THFafford bis(cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl) lanthanoid chloride complexes (C_5H_9C_5H_4)_2LnCl(THF)_n (Ln=Nd, Sm, n=1; Ln= Er, Yb, n= 0). The compound [CP'_2SmCl(THF)]_2 (2) (Cp' =cyclopentylcy-clopentadienyl) crystallizes from mixed solvent of hexane and THF in monoclinic space group P_2_1/cwith a = 11.583 (3), b = 23.019(6), c = 8.227 (2), β= 90.26 (2)°, V= 2194 (1)~3, D_c= 1.59 g/cm~3.μ= 28.6 cm~(-1), F(000) = 1060, Z= 2 (dimers). Its crystal molecule is a dimer with a crystallographicsymmetry center. The central metal atom Sm is coordinated to two Cp' rings, two bridging chlorineatoms and one THF forming a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The crystal of [Cp'_2ErCl]_2 (3) belongs tothe triclinic space group P with a = 11.264 (2), b= 13.296(5), c = 14.296(6), a = 96.99 (3), β=112.47(2), γ= 102.78(2)°, V= 1865(1)~3, D_c= 1.67 g /cm~3, μ= 48.0 cm~(-1), F(000) = 924, Z = 2 (dimers).The molecule is a dimer consisting of two Cp'_2 ErCl species bridged by two Cl atoms. The centralmetal atom Er is coordinated to two Cp' rings and two bridging chlorine atoms forming a pseudo-tetrahedron. All these complexes are soluble in THF, DME, Et_2O, toluene and hexane.     

Crystal chemical aspect of synthesis of laser crystals with garnet structure in Ln2O3−Sc2O3−M2O3 systems (Ln=Y,Gd; M=Ga,Al)

Regions of existence were determined for various types of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions (Ln₃[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; {Ln_3−xSc_x}[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; Ln₃[Ln_zSc_yM_2−y−z] M₃O₁₂; Ln=Y, Gd; M=Ga, Al) by analyzing the diagrams r^VIII−r^VI (r^VI are weighted mean dodecahedral and octahedral radii, respectively). We found the position of congruently melting compositions in r^VIII−r^VI coordinates and optimal compositions for obtaining Nd³⁺- and Cr³⁺-doped crystals. The structure of the congruently melting composition was found to be formed of “equilibrium” polyhedra, which need not be stabilized. It is shown that a congruently melting composition, which is absent in the original matrix, may be achieved by isomorphous substitutions at certain positions of the structure. The most probable mechanisms of formation of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions with garnet structure are suggested using the calculated binodal curves of decomposition. M. V. Lomonosov Moscow Academy of Fine Chemical Technology. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 23–33, September–October, 1994. Translated by O. Kharlamova     

Phase diagrams of the Ln2S3-EuS (Ln = La-Gd) systems

The phase diagrams of the Ln₂S₃-EuS (Ln = La-Gd) systems were studied. In these systems, continuous series of solid solutions form between γ-Ln₂S₃ and EuLn₂S₄ (Th₃P₄ structural type), and also eutectics between EuLa₂S₄ and a solid solution based on EuS form at the following coordinates: 71.5 mol % EuS, 2280 K; 66.5 mol % EuS, 2240 K; and 63.5 mol % EuS, 2100 K. The characteristics of the forming compounds are the following: EuLa₂S₄: a = 0.8759 nm, T _melt = 2420 K, and H = 2380 MPa; EuNd₂S₄: a = 0.8615 nm, T _melt = 2380 K, and H = 2530 MPa; and EuGd₂S₄: a = 0.8507 nm, T _melt = 2300 K, and H = 2670 MPa.     

Redox chemistry of the acetato-bridged clusters [M3(mu3-O)n(mu-O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ (M = Mo, W, n = 1, 2): reversible redox between mono-micro3-oxo d8 M(III)2M(IV) and d9 M(III)3 forms

A cyclic voltammogram of aqueous 0.1 mol dm(-3) triflic acid solutions of the d6 bioxo-capped M-M bonded cluster [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ at a glassy carbon electrode at 25 degrees C gives rise to an irreversible 3e- cathodic wave to a d9 Mo(III)3 species at -0.8 V vs. SCE which on the return scan gives rise to two anodic waves at +0.05 V vs. SCE (E(1/2), 1e- reversible to d8 Mo(III)2Mo(IV)) and +0.48 V vs. SCE (2e- irreversible back to d6 Mo(IV)3). The number of electrons passed at each redox wave has been confirmed by redox titration and controlled potential electrolysis which resulted in 90% recovery of [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ following electrochemical re-oxidation at +0.8 V. A corresponding CV study of the d8 monoxo-capped W(III)2W(IV) cluster [W3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ gives rise to a reversible 1e- cathodic process at -0.92 V vs. SCE to give the d9 W(III)3 species [W3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]+; the first authentic example of a W(III) complex with coordinated water ligands. However the cluster is too unstable (O2/water sensitive) to allow isolation. Comparisons with the cv study on [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ suggest irreversible reduction of this complex to monoxo-capped [Mo(III)3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]+ followed by reversible oxidation to its d8 counterpart [Mo3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ (Mo(III)2Mo(IV)) and finally irreversible oxidation back to the starting bioxo-capped cluster. Exposing the d9 Mo(III)3 cluster to air (O2) however gives a different final product with evidence of break up of the acetate bridged framework. Corresponding redox processes on d6 [W3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ are too cathodic to allow similar generation of the monoxo-capped W(III)3 and W(III)2W(IV) clusters at the electrode surface.     

Density functional theoretical study of a series of binary azides M(N3)n (n = 3, 4)

Geometrical structures of a series of binary azides M(N3)n (M = elements in groups 3 and 13 (n = 3) and in groups 4 and 14 (n = 4)) were investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of theory. Our calculations found that binary group 3 triazides M(N3)3 (M = Sc, Y, La) and binary group 4 tetraazides M(N3)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) turn out to be stable with all frequencies real having a similar linear M-N-NN structural feature, as previously reported for M(N3)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf). However, binary azides of group 13 M(N3)3 (M = B, Al, Ga, In, Tl) and group 14 elements M(N3)4 (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) with bent M-N-NN bond angles differ obviously from binary group 3 and 4 azides in geometrical structure. These facts are mainly explained by the difference in electronic density overlap between the central atom and the alpha-N atoms of the azido groups. Two lone-pair electrons on the sp hybridization alpha-N atoms in the binary group 3 and 4 azides donate electron density into two empty d orbitals of the central transition metal atom and a pair of valence bonding electrons, resulting in the alpha-N atoms acting as a tridentate ligand. The sp2 hybridization alpha-N atoms of the binary group 13 and 14 azides only give one valence electron to form one valence bonding electron pair acting virtually as monodentate donors.     

The structure and fragmentation of B n (n≥3) ions in peptide spectra

The unimolecular and low energy collision-induced fragmentation reactions of the MH⁺ ions of N-acetyl-tri-alanine, N-acetyl-tri-alanine methyl ester, N-acetyl-tetra-alanine, tetra-alanine, penta-alanine, hexa-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin have been studied with a particular emphasis on the formation and fragmentation of B _n (n=3,4,5) ions. In addition, the metastable ion fragmentation reactions of protonated tetra-glycine, penta-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin amide have been studied. B _n ions are prominent stable species in all spectra. The B _n ions fragment, in part, by elimination of CO to form A _n ions; this reaction occurs on the metastable ion time scale with a substantial release of kinetic energy (T _1/2=0. 3–0. 5 eV) that indicates that a stable configuration of the B _n ion fragments by way of a reacting configuration that is higher in energy than the fragmentation products, A _n + CO. Ab initio calculations strongly suggest that the stable configuration of the B₃ and B₄ ions is a protonated oxazolone formed by interaction of the developing charge with the next-nearest carbonyl group as HX is lost from the protonated species H-(Yyy) _n -X · H⁺. The higher B _n ions also fragment, in part, to form the next-lower B ion, presumably in its stable protonated oxazolone form. This reaction is rationalized in terms of the three-dimensional structure of the B _n ions and it is proposed that the neutral eliminated is an α-lactam.     

Host sensitization of Tb3+ ions in tribarium lanthanide borates Ba3Ln (BO3)3 (Ln = Lu and Gd)

The vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic properties of undoped and Tb(3+)-doped borates Ba(3)Ln(BO(3))(3) (Ln = Lu and Gd) with different crystal structures were investigated by using synchrotron radiation. Ba(3)Lu(BO(3))(3) (BLB) crystallizes in a hexagonal structure, whereas Ba(3)Gd(BO(3))(3) (BGB) crystallizes in a trigonal structure. The maximum host absorption for BLB and BGB was found to locate at ~179 and ~195 nm, respectively. Upon host excitation, BLB exhibits an intrinsic broad UV emission centered at 339 nm, which is attributed to the recombination of self-trapped excitons that may presumably be associated with band-gap excitations or molecular transitions within the BO(3)(3-) group. In contrast to BLB, no broad emission but line emission ascribed to a Gd(3+)(6)P(J)-(8)S(7/2) transition was observed in the emission spectrum of BGB. Upon doping of Tb(3+) ions into the hosts of BLB and BGB, an efficient energy transfer from the host excitations to Tb(3+) via host/Gd(3+) emission was observed, showing that host sensitization of Tb(3+) occurs in these rare-earth borates.     

Eu(fod)(3) binding on the (1)H-NMR spectra of some benzo[3n]crown-n and dibenzo[3n+2]crown-n

The complexing of Eu(fod)₃ with macrocyclic ethers, benzo[15]crown-5, benzo[12]crown-4, dibenzo[20]crown-6, dibenzo[23]crown-7 and dibenzo[26]crown-8 was observed on their ¹H-NMR spectra and the selective binding constants at 400 MHz and 305 K in CDCl₃ were reported. The Eu(fod)₃ interaction displayed the selective binding role of oxygen on macrocyclic, H₂COCH₂, backbones with o- or m-dioxyphenyl groups referring the ¹H chemical shifts. The estimated equilibrium constants, K_a of 1:1 ratio of interactions were in accordance with the Eu³⁺ ionic radii to bind the oxygen sites depending on the macrocyclic size and conformation of the ethers. The minimum lanthanide-macrocyclic ether distance displayed the maximum stability so that benzo[3n]crown-n (n=4, 5) group was found to bind the Eu(fod)₃ moderately whilst dibenzo[3n+2]crown-n (n=6-8) oligomer chemical shifts were induced largely since the such Eu³⁺ complexes are more stable with larger ethyleneoxy groups.     

Surprising luminescent properties of the polyphosphates Ln(PO3)3:Eu (Ln = Y, Gd, Lu)

The optical emission properties of the lanthanoid catena-polyphosphates Ln(PO(3))(3) (Ln = Y, Gd, Lu) doped with europium were investigated. Incommensurately modulated β-Y(PO(3))(3):Eu (super space group Cc (0|0.364|0)0) and Gd(PO(3))(3):Eu (space group I2/a) show the usual emission characteristics of Eu(3+), while in Lu(PO(3))(3):Eu (space group Cc) the europium is unprecedentedly partially reduced to the divalent state, as proven by both a broad emission band at 406 nm excited at 279 nm and an EPR spectroscopic investigation. (151)Eu-M?ssbauer spectroscopy showed that only a very small part of the europium is reduced in Lu(PO(3))(3):Eu. An explanation for this unusual behaviour is given.     

Electronic structure and chemical bonding in MO(n)- and MO(n) clusters (M = Mo, W; n = 3-5): a photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio study

Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and ab initio calculations are combined to investigate the electronic structure of MO(n)- clusters (M = W, Mo; n = 3-5). Similar PES spectra were observed between the W and Mo species. A large energy gap between the first and second PES bands was observed for MO3- and correlated with a stable closed-shell MO3 neutral cluster. The electron binding energies of MO4- increase significantly relative to those of MO3-, and there is also an abrupt spectral pattern change between MO3- and MO4-. Both MO4- and MO5- give PES features with extremely high electron binding energies (>5.0 eV) due to oxygen-2p-based orbitals. The experimental results are compared with extensive density functional and ab initio [CCSD(T)] calculations, which were performed to elucidate the electronic and structural evolution for the tungsten oxide clusters. WO3 is found to be a closed-shell, nonplanar molecule with C3v symmetry. WO4 is shown to have a triplet ground state (3A2) with D2d symmetry, whereas WO5 is found to be an unusual charge-transfer complex, (O2-)WO3+. WO4 and WO5 are shown to possess W-O* and O2-* radical characters, respectively.     

Solvation effects on angular distributions in H- (NH3)n and NH2(-) (NH3)n photodetachment: role of solute electronic structure

We report 355 and 532 nm photoelectron imaging results for H(-)(NH(3))(n) and NH(2)(-)(NH(3))(n), n = 0-5. The photoelectron spectra are consistent with the electrostatic picture of a charged solute (H(-) or NH(2)(-)) solvated by n ammonia molecules. For a given number of solvent molecules, the NH(2)(-) core anion is stabilized more strongly than H(-), yet the photoelectron angular distributions for solvated H(-) deviate more strongly from the unsolvated limit than those for solvated NH(2)(-). Hence, we conclude that solvation effects on photoelectron angular distributions are dependent on the electronic structure of the anion, i.e., the type of the initial orbital of the photodetached electron, rather than merely the strength of solvation interactions. We also find evidence of photofragmentation and autodetachment of NH(2)(-)(NH(3))(2-5), as well as autodetachment of H(-)(NH(3))(5), upon 532 nm excitation of these species.