Thermal addition of xathenethione to allenes: “A Concerted Two Step” (π2s+π2s+π2s)-cycloaddition

(2+2)- and (4+2)-cycloadducts are formed by thermal reaction of xanthenethione with allenes. Activation parameters for ths “concerted two step” (_π2_s+_π2_s+_π2_s) reaction are presented.     

Stereospecific [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of diphosphorus with alkenes

[2+2] Cycloaddition reactions of P₂ with alkenes were predicted to have concerted paths, that is, pseudoexcitation, distorted 2π_s+2π_s, and 2π_s+2π_a processes without any interventions of intermediates. The pseudoexcitation and/or distorted 2π_s+2π_s paths with retention of configuration of alkenes are kinetically preferred to the 2π_s+2π_a path with inversion of configuration. The reactions were predicted from the appreciable difference in the calculated enthalpies of activation to be stereospecific.     

Photodimerization of Solid Pleiadiene; Isomerization and Cycloreversion of the Dimer

Irradiation (λ>400 nm) of solid pleiadiene ( 1 ) yields a single, head-to-head [_π4_s+_π4_s]-photodimer ( 2 ) the structure of which was determined by X-ray analysis. The formation of 2 is entirely suppressed at 77 K, since properly oriented pairs of molecules arise only from thermal disorder in crystals of 1 . Upon pyrolysis (80°), the strained photodimer 2 rearranges to the [_π2_s + _π4_s] dimer 3 by a ‘forbidden’ suprafacial [1,3]-C-atom migration. Both 2 and 3 are reconverted to 1 by UV. irradiation in solution, but the latter, ‘forbidden’ photoreaction is suppressed at 77 K . Discrepancies of the experimental observations with the predictive schemes of Kaupp or Michl are discussed.     

Photolysis and Pyrolysis of N-Methyl Isoindole

Near UV. irradiation of N-methyl isoindole ( 1 ) in deaerated solution has yielded two constitutionally isomeric [_π4_s+_π4_s] dimers 3 and 4 (Scheme 2). No transient or stable photoisomers of 1 were detected. The photodimers were reconverted to 1 both by pyrolysis and photolysis. The photocleavage of dimer 3 proceeds (predominantly) by anonadiabatic pathway yielding 1 in its electronic ground state. Prolonged pyrolysis of 1 afforded 11H-indeno [1,2-c]-isoquinoline ( 5 ) as a major product.     

Evidence against the (π2s + π2a) mechanism for the cycloadditions of allenes

The chemoselectivities in the (_π4_s + _π2_s) cycloaddition reactions of tetraphenylcyclopentadienone (TPCD) with ethyl- and 1,1-dimethylallene have been determined and are compared with those observed for reaction with maleic anhydride.     

The nickel-group IV molecules NiC,NiSi, and NiGe

All electron ab initio calculations have been applied to elucidate the electronic states and the nature of the chemical bonds in the molecules NiC, NiSi, and NiGe. The calculations have revealed that the ground states of all three molecules are¹Σ⁺, but due to the open 3d shell of the Ni atom the molecules have many low-lying electronic states. The NiC molecule is strongly polar, and the low-lying electronic states have been identified as those arising when the angular momenta of the³F_g Ni⁺ ion are coupled to the angular momenta of the⁴S_uC^? anion. The chemical bond in the NiC molecule has triple bond character due to the valence bond couplings between the Ni 4s and 3dπ electrons and theC 2p electrons. The chemical bonds in the molecules NiSi and NiGe are very much alike; they are double bonds composed of oneσ and oneπ bond. Theσ bond is due to the doubly occupied delocalized molecular orbital composed of the Ni 4s orbital and the Si 3pσ or the Ge 4pσ orbital. Theπ bond originates from the valence bond coupling between the localized hole in the Ni 3dπ orbital and the valencepπ electron of Si or Ge.     

Consequences of a through-bond interaction in tetracyclo-[5.3.0.0.0]-deca-4,8-diene (“Hypostrophene”)

Photoelectron spectroscopy is used to demonstrate the mechanistic consequences of the level ordering in a given molecule on its reactivity, using the recently synthesized hypostrophene, which contains two CC double bonds in a rigid, cisoid conformation, as an example. The inability of this molecule to close photochemically to the saturated analog is traced to the presence of an exceptionally high-lying σ level which is ideally oriented for an effective through-bond coupling of the two π orbitals. Contrary to the norbornadiene case, this through-bond coupling overrides the direct through-space interaction, placing the in-phase combination of the two π orbitals above the out-of-phase combination, and thus converts the _π2_s+_π2_s photocycloaddition from a symmetry-allowed to a symmetry-forbidden reaction.     

CO inner-shell excitation studied by electron impact spectroscopy

The inner-shell excitation and decay of the CO molecule have been studied in electron impact experiments. The dipole-forbidden transition (1sσ_c)⁻¹(2pπ) ³Π has been characterized by angular resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy and its decay via the measurement of resonant Auger spectra. The contribution of the (1sσ_c)⁻¹(2pπ) ³Π state to the CO resonant Auger spectrum in the region of the “spectator transitions” has been isolated and the population of CO⁺ quartet final states has been observed.     

Novel entry into oxepane-diquinane and oxepane-sterpurane hybrids: synthesis and photochemistry of 3-oxatricyclo[7.2.2.0]tridecenones

A new synthesis of 3-oxatricyclo[7.2.2.0^1,7]tridecenones via intramolecular π^4s+π^2s cycloaddition in cyclohexa-2,4-dienones is described. Their photochemical reactions leading to oxepane-diquinane and oxepane-sterpurane hybrids are depicted. The crystal structure of a key intermediate is also presented.     

X-ray diffraction investigations of the structure of concentrated ionic solutions

A liquid-type quasi-close-packing of molecular aggregates [In(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₄]⁺ is suggested as a model to interpret the scattered X-ray intensity of 2.27, 1.30, and 3.96 M aqueous solutions of indium nitrate; but the existence of another packing in the less concentrated solutions may not be excluded. Three different molecular models were tested to obtain agreement between the observed and calculated intensity, from s = (4π/λ)sinθ ≈ 0.7 to 13.0 Å⁻¹ for 2.27 and 1.30 M aqueous solutions.     

Cation···π interactions: QTAIM and NBO studies on the interaction of alkali metal cations with heteroaromatic rings

The cation···π interactions of alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) with five-membered heteroaromatic rings [furan(C₄H₄O), thiophene(C₄H₄S), pyrrole(C₄H₅N)] were examined by high level ab initio calculations, to investigate the different roles of C₄H₄O, C₄H₄S, and C₄H₅N as the electron donor, the influential factors that affect these interactions, the nature of this kind of cation···π interaction, and to determine topological and energetical properties to characterize these interactions. The sulfur atom in C₄H₄S plays a certain role in the cation···π interactions except the C–C π bond, which is different from C₄H₄O and C₄H₅N. The size of cation and the character of heteroaromatic ring are two influential factors that affect the cation···π interactions. The studied cation···π interactions can be classified as “closed-shell” and noncovalent interactions. The electron density and its Laplacian at the bond critical points and ring critical points generated upon complexation are useful measurements for the strength of cation···π interactions.     

Reactions of C2(a 3πu) with CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and O2 using multiphoton UV excimer laser photolysis

C₂(a ³π_u) disappearance rate constants of 1.44, 0.96, 0.0296, 0.0130 and < 10^?6(x10^?10cm³s^?1) are reported for reactions with C₂H₄, C₂H₂, O₂, C₂H₆, and CH₄, respectively at 298 K. C₂(a ³π_u) fragments are generated by multiphoton ArF excimer laser photodissociation at C₂H₂, and monitored by dye laser induced fluorescence. Arguments are presented which favor chemical reactions over the C₂(a ³π_u) → (X ¹σ⁺_g) quenching channel. C₂ + C₂H₂ represents the one possible exception to the reactive channel.     

Ion–molecule reaction in the gas phase 3—nucleophilic substitution of 17ξ-R-5α,14β-androstane-14,17ξ-diols under [NH4]+ chemical ionization conditions1

Under Ammonia chemical Ionization conditions the source decompositions of [M + NH₄]⁺ ions formed from epimeric tertiary steroid alchols 14 OH_β, 17OH_α or 17 OH_β substituted at position 17 have been studied. They give rise to formation of [M + NH₄? H₂O]⁺ dentoed as [MH_sH]⁺, [M_sH? H₂O]⁺, [M_sH? NH₃]⁺ and [M_sH? NH₃? H₂O]⁺ ions. Stereochemical effects are observed in the ratios [M_sH? H₂O]⁺/[M_sH? NH₃]⁺. These effects are significant among metastable ions. In particular, only the [M_sH]⁺ ions produced from trans-diol isomers lose a water molecule. The favoured loss of water can be accounted for by an S_N2 mechanism in which the insertion of NH₃ gives [M_sH]⁺ with Walden inversion occurring during the ion-molecule reaction between [M + NH₄]⁺ + NH₃. The S_N1 and S_Ni pathways have been rejected.     

High-resolution absorption spectra of diphenylnmethylenes

High-resolution absorption spectra of the following diphenylmethylenes (DPM_s) dispersed in benzophenone crystals at liquid-helium temperatures are presented: DPM-h₁₀, DPM-d₁₀, 4-chloro-DPM, and 4-bromo-DPM. The substituent effects concerning the electronic structure, transition energy and intensity are discussed. From polarization measurements, the electronic configurations of the ground and the first excited triplet states of these DPM_s are assigned as (pπ)¹(pσ)¹ and (pσ)¹(π*)¹, respectively. Further studies reveal a second excited triplet state, designated as (pπ)¹(π*)¹, which lies less than 1000 cm^-1 above the first excited triplet state of DPM. Diffuse broad bands appear as common features in all the spectra. Such diffuseness is discussed in terms of electron-phonon coupling of the low-lying excited states.     

The stereochemistry of dichloroketene and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate cyclo-addition to 4-t-butylmethylenecyclohexane

The stereochemistry of the cycloaddition of dichloroketene (1) and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (2) to 4-t-butylmethylenecyclohexane (4) has been investigated as a model for the 2π_s + 2π_a cycloaddition to the methylenecyclohexane system. The reactions are kinetically controlled and proceed mainly by axial attack to yield the thermodynamically less stable isomers 7 and 10, as major products, respectively.     

Ab initio MRD CI calculations for the electron spectrum of the C3 radical

Calculations using the MRD CI method are reported for the ground and low lying excited states of C₃. Transitions from the 3σ_u, 4σ_g and 1π_u MO's into 1π_g are considered, as well as the 1π_u → 3s Rydberg species and the corresponding ionization, and good agreement with experimental data is obtained where comparison is possible. Potential curves calculated for the ground and (1π_u → 1π_g) ¹Σ⁺_u excited state are discussed.     

Trans-N2F2 and cis-N2F2: A green's function calculation on their photoelectron spectra

The vertical valence ionization potentials of trans-N₂F₂ and cis-N₂F₂ have been computed by a many-body Green function method. For trans-N₂F₂ the agreement with experiment is very satisfactory in general and the calculations permit an analysis and assignment of the experimental photoelectron spectrum. The ionization potentials of cis-N₂F₂ are predictions. The ordering of the ionization potential is for trans-N₂F₂ 5ag(n₊), 2a_u(π), 4b_u(n_?), 4ag, 1b_g(π), 1a_u(π), 3b_u, 3a_g, 2b_u and for cis-N₂F₂ 4b₂ (n_?), 2b₁ (π) + 5a₁(n+), 3b₂, 1a₂ (π), 1b₁(π), 4a₁, 3a₁, 2b2, n₊ and n_? denote lone pairs on the N atoms except for the 4b_u(n_?) orbital which has the largest contribution from the F atoms.     

Valence-bond calculations on N2 and isoelectronic species

Valence-bond calculations are reported for the isoelectronic series of molecules and ions: N₂, CO, BF, NO⁺ and CN^?. The most important structures are N?N, C?O, B_π? F, N⁺?O and C?N. Hybridization of the 2s and 2p orbitals is important. Only two or three structures are required to obtain an energy lower than that obtained with the molecular orbital approximation. Structures in which the electronegative element loses a σ-orbital or gains a π-orbital are favored. π-bonds tend to be favored over σ-bonds. The bond in NO⁺ resembles that in CO, whereas that in CN^? resembles the bonding in N₂.     

Ligand‐to‐Ligand Charge‐Transfer Transitions of Platinum(II) Complexes with Arylacetylide Ligands with Different Chain Lengths: Spectroscopic Characterization,Effect of Molecular Conformations,and Density Functional Theory Calculations

The complexes [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1R}]⁺ (n=1: R=alkyl and aryl (Ar); n=1–3: R=phenyl (Ph) or Ph‐N(CH₃)₂‐4; n=1 and 2, R=Ph‐NH₂‐4; tBu₃tpy=4,4’,4’’‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐terpyridine) and [Pt(Cl₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R=tert‐butyl (tBu), Ph, 9,9’‐dibutylfluorene, 9,9’‐dibutyl‐7‐dimethyl‐amine‐fluorene; Cl₃tpy=4,4’,4’’‐trichloro‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐terpyridine) were prepared. The effects of substituent(s) on the terpyridine (tpy) and acetylide ligands and chain length of arylacetylide ligands on the absorption and emission spectra were examined. Resonance Raman (RR) spectra of [Pt(tBu₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R=n‐butyl, Ph, and C₆H₄‐OCH₃‐4) obtained in acetonitrile at 298 K reveal that the structural distortion of the C?C bond in the electronic excited state obtained by 502.9 nm excitation is substantially larger than that obtained by 416 nm excitation. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations on [Pt(H₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R= n‐propyl (nPr), 2‐pyridyl (Py)), [Pt(H₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1Ph}]⁺ (n=1–3), and [Pt(H₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺/+H⁺ (n=1–3; H₃tpy=nonsubstituted terpyridine) at two different conformations were performed, namely, with the phenyl rings of the arylacetylide ligands coplanar (“cop”) with and perpendicular (“per”) to the H₃tpy ligand. Combining the experimental data and calculated results, the two lowest energy absorption peak maxima, λ₁ and λ₂, of [Pt(Y₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (Y=tBu or Cl, R=aryl) are attributed to ¹[π(C?CR)→π*(Y₃tpy)] in the “cop” conformation and mixed ¹[d_π(Pt)→π*(Y₃tpy)]/¹[π(C?CR)→π*(Y₃tpy)] transitions in the “per” conformation. The lowest energy absorption peak λ₁ for [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐H‐4}]⁺ (n=1–3) shows a redshift with increasing chain length. However, for [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C6H4C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺ (n=1–3), λ₁ shows a blueshift with increasing chain length n, but shows a redshift after the addition of acid. The emissions of [Pt(Y₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (Y=tBu or Cl) at 524–642 nm measured in dichloromethane at 298 K are assigned to the ³[π(C?CAr)→π*(Y₃tpy)] excited states and mixed ³[d_π(Pt)→π*(Y₃tpy)]/³[π(C?C)→π*(Y₃tpy)] excited states for R=aryl and alkyl groups, respectively. [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺ (n=1 and 2) are nonemissive, and this is attributed to the small energy gap between the singlet ground state (S₀) and the lowest triplet excited state (T₁).     

Ion–molecule reaction in the gas phase 4—Stereospecific nucleophilic substitution under ammonia chemical ionization conditions from diastereomeric methyl and benzyl ethers of 3-hydroxy steroids

The ammonia chemical ionization (CI/[NH₄⁺]) mass spectra of a series of diastereomeric methyl and benzyl ethers derived from 3-hydroxy steroids (unsaturated in position 5 and saturated) have been studied. The adduct ions [M+NH₄]⁺ and [MH]⁺ and the substitution product ions [M+NH₄? ROH]⁺ (thereafter called [M_sH]⁺) are characterized by an inversion in their relative stabilites in relation to their initial configuration. [M+NH₄]_α⁺ and [MH]_α⁺ formed from the α-Δ⁵-steroid isomers are stabilized by the presence of a hydrogen bond which is not possible for the β-isomers. This stereochemical effect has also been observed in the mass analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectra of [M+NH₄]⁺ and [MH]⁺. The MIKE spectra of [M_sH]⁺ indicate that those issued from the β-isomers are more stable than the one originating from the α-isomers. This behavior is also observed in the first field free region (HV scan spectra) for [MH]⁺, [M_sH]⁺ and [M+NH₄]⁺ which are precursors of the ethylenic carbocations (base peak in the conventional CI/[NH₄]⁺ spectra). Mechanisms, such as S_N1 and S_Ni, have been ruled out for the formation of [M_sH]⁺, but instead the data support an S_N2 mechanism during the ion-molecule reaction between [M+NH₄]⁺ and NH₃.