Structures and properties of π Br‐bond in complexes C2H4−nFn?BrF (n = 0–2)

Using the counterpoise‐corrected potential energy surface method, the stationary structures of the π Br‐bond complexes C₂H_4‐nF_n? BrF (n = 0–2) with all real frequencies have been obtained at MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level. The order of the π Br‐bond length is 2.625 Å (C₂H₄? BrF) < 2.714 Å (C₂H₃F? BrF) < 2.751 Å (g‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF) < 2.771 Å (trans‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF) < 2.778 Å (cis‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF). The interaction energies (E_int) are, respectively,‐5.9 (C₂H₄? BrF),‐4.4 (C₂H₃F? BrF),‐3.7 (g‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF),‐3.1 (cis‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF),‐2.8 kcal/mol (trans‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF), at the CCSD (T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level, which include larger electron correlation contributions (E_corre). The order of E_corre is‐3.40 (C₂H₄? BrF),‐3.60 (C₂H₃F? BrF),‐3.85 (g‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF),‐3.86 (cis‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF),‐3.88 kcal/mol (trans‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF). The earlier results show above that the F substituent effect elongates the π Br‐bond, reduces the E_int, and increases the E_corre contribution of the interaction energy. Interestingly, the interaction energy of the cis‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF structure with longer interaction distance is larger than that of the corresponding trans‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF structure with shorter interaction distance. This reason comes from a special secondary interaction between lone pairs of Br atom with positive charge and some atoms (H, C) with positive charges of C₂H₂F₂ in the cis‐C₂H₂F₂? BrF structure. Comparing with corresponding C₂H_4‐nF_n? ClF and C₂H_4‐nF_n? HF, the C₂H_4‐nF_n? BrF system has the larger E_int in which main contribution comes from the larger E_corre, representing the larger dispersion interaction. The larger E_corre contribution of the E_int of π Br‐bond can be used to understand that the π Br‐bond is shorter and stronger than corresponding π Cl‐bond. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Intramolecular C?H Activation through Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Reaction of Iodoalkynes

The cycloisomerization reaction of 1‐(iodoethynyl)‐2‐(1‐methoxyalkyl)arenes and related 2‐alkyl‐substituted derivatives gives the corresponding 3‐iodo‐1‐substituted‐1H‐indene under the catalytic influence of IPrAuNTf₂ [IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropyl)phenylimidazol‐2‐ylidene; NTf₂=bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate]. The reaction takes place in 1,2‐dichloroethane at 80 °C, and the addition of ttbp (2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylpyrimidine) is beneficial to accomplish this new transformation in high yield. The overall reaction implies initial assembly of an intermediate gold vinylidene upon alkyne activation by gold(I) and a 1,2‐iodine‐shift. Deuterium labeling and crossover experiments, the magnitude of the recorded kinetic primary isotopic effect, and the results obtained from the reaction of selected stereochemical probes strongly provide support for concerted insertion of the benzylic C H bond into gold vinylidene as the step responsible for the formation of the new carbon–carbon bond.     

Heme Fe?SO2− intermediates in sulfite reduction: Contrasts with Fe?OO2− species from oxygen–oxygen bond activating systems

Sulfite reductase (SiR) catalyzes a six electron and six proton reduction of sulfite to sulfide. Similarly to the cytochrome P450 (cytP450) family, the active site in SiR contains a (partially reduced) heme bound axially to a cysteinate ligand—though with an extra Fe₄S₄ cluster. Fe(III) SO²⁻, Fe(III) SOH⁻, and Fe(III) SO(H₂) intermediates have been proposed for the catalytic cycle of SiR, leading to a formally Fe(V)S species—akin to the widely accepted reaction mechanism in cytP450. Here, density functional theory (DFT) data is reported for of such FeSO(H₂) intermediates. The Fe(III) SO²⁻ models display relatively high energies for homolytic bond breaking compared to their isomeric oxygen‐bound Fe(III) OS²⁻ models, and thus offer a better alternative in terms of avoiding radical side products able to induce enzyme suicide. This could be due to the fact that the (iron‐bound) sulfur is more active from a redox standpoint compared to oxygen, thus permitting the departing oxygen to maintain a redox‐inert state. Di‐protonation of the oxygen is computed to lead to a compound I type Fe(IV)S coupled to a porphyrin radical anion—consistent with an intermediate previously observed by x‐ray crystallography.     

Ba2(Ni1−xLix)Ni2N2: Ein niedervalentes Nitridoniccolat mit gewellten Schichten [(NiN2/2)?(Ni1−xLix)?(NiN2/2)]

Ba₂(Ni_1?xLi_x)Ni₂N₂: A Low-Valency Nitridoniccolate with Puckered Layers [(NiN_2/2)? (Ni_1?xLi_x)? (NiN_2/2)] Ba₂(Ni_1?xLi_x)Ni₂N₂ is obtained by reaction of lithium-barium-melts (molar ratios Li : Ba between 1 : 1 and 3 : 1) with nitrogen (1 atm.) in nickel-crucibles within a period of 15 h. Single crystals with a dark-metallic lustre are formed by cooling the melt to room temperature with a rate of 10°C/h (orthorhombic, Cmca; a = 713.3(2)pm, b = 1027.4(7)pm, c = 752.2(4)pm; z = 4; D_xr = 5.50 g/cm³ with x = 0.43). The crystal structure contains nearly liner [NiN_2/2]-chains (N? Ni? N: 178.5(7)°, Ni? N? Ni 173.4(7)°; Ni? N: 178.6(1)pm), running parallel to the [100] direction, which are interconnected via (Ni_1?xLi_x)-sites (linear units (N? (Ni_1?xLi_x)? N); bond-lenths: 194.5(12)pm with x = 0.43) to form puckered layer [(Nin_2/2)? (Ni_1?xLi_x)? (NiN_2/2)]. Barium is in a distorted trigonal-planar coordination by nitrogen atoms (Ba? N: 281.1(11)pm ? 285.5(11)pm. The nitrogen-coordination corresponds to a distorted octahedron, NBa₃(Ni_1?xLi_x)Ni₂, with nickel in trans-position. The crystal structure of Ba₂(Ni_1?xLi_x)Ni₂N₂ is closely related to the Li₃N-type structure: Li₂[LiN] ? Ba{(Ni_1?xLi_x)_0.5 □ _0.5}[NiN]. Furthermore, this structure enlarges the scope of barium-nitrido-niccolates which up to now were found to contain merely [NiN_2/2]-chains(BaNiN: Planar zigzag-chains; Ba₈Ni₆N₇ helical zigzag-chains).     

Easily Accessible Auxiliary for Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of C(sp2)?H and C(sp3)?H Bonds at δ‐ and ε‐Positions

An easily synthesized and accessible N,O‐bidentate auxiliary has been developed for selective C H activation under palladium catalysis. The novel auxiliary showed its first powerful application in C H functionalization of remote positions. Both C(sp²) H and C(sp³) H bonds at δ‐ and ε‐positions were effectively activated, thus giving tetrahydroquinolines, benzomorpholines, pyrrolidines, and indolines in moderate to excellent yields by palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C H amination.     

Dihydrogen Bonding: Donor–Acceptor Bonding (AH⋅⋅⋅HX) versus the H2 Molecule (A?H2?X)

Dihydrogen bond or H ₂ molecule? The central H? H bond in linear H₄ can exist in two qualitatively different bonding modes corresponding to two different electronic states, namely a donor–acceptor dihydrogen bond (DHB) and a central H₂ molecule with an electron‐pair bond (see figure). This insight evolves from Kohn–Sham density functional analysis and it is further applied here to understand the bonding in more realistic model systems.

     

Sulfoximid und Sulfoximidium-Salze – Strukturen und H?Brückenbindungen

Sulfoximide and Sulfoximidium Salts – Structures and Hydrogen Bonding In the solid state dimethylsulfoximide ( 1 ) (orthorhombic; space group Pbca; a = 577.8, b = 931.2 and c = 1645.6 pm) makes intermolecular N? H ? N hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen halide salts (CH₃)₂S(O)NH₂⁺Hal^? (( 2 ), Hal^??Cl^?; ( 4 ), Hal^??Br^?) reacts with metal halides to yield (CH₃)₂S(O)NH₂⁺MHal with the complex anions (( 5 ), MHal?SbCl₄^?; ( 6 ), MHal?SbCl₅^2?; ( 7 ), MHal?SbCl₆^?; ( 8 ), MHal?SbBr₅^2?; ( 9 ), MHal?AlCl₄^?). 2 crystallizes from ethanol (96%) as [(CH₃)₂S(O)NH₂⁺Cl^?]₂ · H₂O ( 3 ). The structures of 3 (monoclinic; space group P2₁/c; a = 917.0, b = 1344.7, c = 1080.8 pm and β = 103.8°; Z = 10), 4 (orthorhombic; space group Pbcn; a = 1028.9, b = 1132.6, c = 1074.1 pm; Z = 8) and 6 (monoclinic; space group C2/c; a = 2041.1, b = 1101.4, c = 3365.6 pm and β = 153.8°; Z = 8) are determined by X-ray analysis. In 6 Sb is coordinated in a distorted octahedra by 6 Cl in three short (mean 245,5 pm; SbCl₃) and three long distances (291 to 299 pm; Cl^?). Two of the chloride ions connect the Sb atoms to infinite Sb …? Cl …? Sb chains. Except for 7 and 9 there are bridges between the NH₂ groups and the halide ions. The NH valence vibrations are discussed in view of hydrogen bonding.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp3)?H and C(sp2)?H Amidation by Oxidative Cyclization

The first copper‐catalyzed intramolecular C(sp³) H and C(sp²) H oxidative amidation has been developed. Using a Cu(OAc)₂ catalyst and an Ag₂CO₃ oxidant in dichloroethane solvent, C(sp³) H amidation proceeded at a terminal methyl group, as well as at the internal benzylic position of an alkyl chain. This reaction has a broad substrate scope, and various β‐lactams were obtained in excellent yield, even on gram scale. Use of CuCl₂ and Ag₂CO₃ under an O₂ atmosphere in dimethyl sulfoxide, however, leads to 2‐indolinone selectively by C(sp²) H amidation. Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies indicated that C H bond activation is the rate‐determining step. The 5‐methoxyquinolyl directing group could be removed by oxidation.     

Cu?Cu2O?TiO2 Nanojunction Systems with an Unusual Electron–Hole Transportation Pathway and Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties

Multicomponent Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ nanojunction systems were successfully synthesized by a mild chemical process, and their structure and composition were thoroughly analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as‐prepared Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ (3 and 9 h) nanojunctions demonstrated higher photocatalytic activities under UV/Vis light irradiation in the process of the degradation of organic compounds than those of the Cu? Cu₂O, Cu? TiO₂, and Cu₂O? TiO₂ starting materials. Moreover, time‐resolved photoluminescence spectra demonstrated that the quenching times of electrons and holes in Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ (3 h) is higher than that of Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ (9 h); this leads to a better photocatalytic performance of Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ (3 h). The improvement in photodegradation activity and electron–hole separation of Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ (3 h) can be ascribed to the rational coupling of components and dimensional control. Meanwhile, an unusual electron–hole transmission pathway for photocatalytic reactions over Cu? Cu₂O? TiO₂ nanojunctions was also identified.     

Competitive Intramolecular Aryl‐ and Alkyl‐C?H Bond Activation and Ligand Evaporation from Gaseous Bisimino Complexes [Pt(L)(CH3)((CH3)2S)]+ (L=C6H5NC(CH3)?C(CH3)NC6H5)

Mechanistic details for the formation of methane from the title compound as well as the combined elimination of (CH₃)₂S/CH₄ are derived from various mass‐spectrometric experiments including deuterium‐labeling studies and DFT calculations. For the first process, i.e., methane formation, we have identified three competing pathways in which the intact, Pt‐bonded methyl group combines with a H‐atom that originates from a phenyl substituent (ca. 7%), the dimethyl sulfide ligand (ca. 41%), and a methyl group of the diazabutadiene backbone (ca. 52%). In contrast, in the combined (CH₃)₂S/CH₄ elimination, the methane is specifically formed from the Pt‐bound CH₃ group and a H‐atom provided by one of the phenyl groups (‘cyclometalation’).     

An ab initio interpretation in gas phase and aqueous solution of the generalized anomeric effect in R?O?CR2?NR2 (R = H,CH3)

The conformational stability of aminomethanol and its methylated derivatives has been investigated by means of ab initio methods in the gas phase and aqueous solution. Among the computational levels employed, HF/6‐31G**//HF/6‐31G** calculations correctly describe the conformational features of this series of compounds, and agree well with the results obtained using larger basis sets and including ZPE or electron correlation corrections. Calculated energies and geometries follow the known trends associated to the generalized anomeric effect. Thus, the most stable conformers exhibit preferences for the trans orientations of the Lp N C O and Lp O C N moieties. However, reverse anomeric effects are observed when a methyl group is bonded to the oxygen, because the Lp O C N unit prefers a gauche orientation (that is, trans Me O C N). The natural bond orbital (NBO) method was employed to explain the cited conformational preferences. According to the NBO results, trans arrangements are preferred because the stabilization due to charge delocalization is more important than electrostatic and steric contributions. This explanation agrees with the conclusions obtained by other independent procedures based on energy decomposition schemes. The NBO method was also used to explain the origin of the rotational barriers around the C O and C N bonds in terms of the balance between unfavorable hyperconjugation and electrostatic and steric effects. Changes in conformational stability caused by methylations in different molecular positions were also explained by the influence of the methyl groups on lone‐pair delocalization and on steric effects. Finally, the effect of solvation was studied by means of the ab initio PCM method, and the significant changes on relative energies found were analyzed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 462–477, 2000     

Chalcogen-Bonding Interactions in Telluroether Heterocycles [Te(CH2)m]n (n=1–4; m=3–7)

The Te ⋅⋅⋅ Te secondary bonding interactions (SBIs) in solid cyclic telluroethers were explored by preparing and structurally characterizing a series of [Te(CH₂)_m]_n (n=1–4; m=3–7) species. The SBIs in 1,7-Te₂(CH₂)₁₀, 1,8-Te₂(CH₂)₁₂, 1,5,9-Te₃(CH₂)₉, 1,8,15-Te₃(CH₂)₁₈, 1,7,13,19-Te₄(CH₂)₂₀, 1,8,15,22-Te₄(CH₂)₂₄ and 1,9,17,25-Te₄(CH₂)₂₈ lead to tubular packing of the molecules, as has been observed previously for related thio- and selenoether rings. The nature of the intermolecular interactions was explored by solid-state PBE0-D3/pob-TZVP calculations involving periodic boundary conditions. The molecular packing in 1,7,13,19-Te₄(CH₂)₂₀, 1,8,15,22-Te₄(CH₂)₂₄ and 1,9,17,25-Te₄(CH₂)₂₈ forms infinite shafts. The electron densities at bond critical points indicate a narrow range of Te ⋅⋅⋅ Te bond orders of 0.12–0.14. The formation of the shafts can be rationalized by frontier orbital overlap and charge transfer.     

Arene C?H Amination at Nickel in Terphenyl–Diphosphine Complexes with Labile Metal–Arene Interactions

The meta‐terphenyl diphosphine, m‐P₂, 1 , was utilized to support Ni centers in the oxidation states 0, I, and II. A series of complexes bearing different substituents or ligands at Ni was prepared to investigate the dependence of metal–arene interactions on oxidation state and substitution at the metal center. Complex (m‐P₂)Ni ( 2 ) shows strong Ni⁰–arene interactions involving the central arene ring of the terphenyl ligand both in solution and the solid state. These interactions are significantly less pronounced in Ni⁰ complexes bearing L‐type ligands ( 2‐L : L=CH₃CN, CO, Ph₂CN₂), Ni^IX complexes ( 3‐X : X=Cl, BF₄, N₃, N₃B(C₆F₅)₃), and [(m‐P₂)Ni^IICl₂] ( 4 ). Complex 2 reacts with substrates, such as diphenyldiazoalkane, sulfur ylides (Ph₂S?CH₂), organoazides (RN₃: R=para‐C₆H₄OMe, para‐C₆H₄CF₃, 1‐adamantyl), and N₂O with the locus of observed reactivity dependent on the nature of the substrate. These reactions led to isolation of an η¹‐diphenyldiazoalkane adduct ( 2‐Ph₂CN₂ ), methylidene insertion into a Ni? P bond followed by rearrangement of a nickel‐bound phosphorus ylide ( 5 ) to a benzylphosphine ( 6) , Staudinger oxidation of the phosphine arms, and metal‐mediated nitrene insertion into an arene C? H bond of 1 , all derived from the same compound ( 2 ). Hydrogen‐atom abstraction from a Ni^I–amide ( 9 ) and the resulting nitrene transfer supports the viability of Ni–imide intermediates in the reaction of 1 with 1‐azido‐arenes.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C?H Difluoroalkylation: Synthesis of Substituted 3,3‐Difluoro‐2‐oxindoles

The synthesis of 3,3‐difluoro‐2‐oxindoles through a robust and efficient palladium‐catalyzed C H difluoroalkylation is described. This process generates a broad range of difluorooxindoles from readily prepared starting materials. The use of BrettPhos as the ligand was crucial for high efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that oxidative addition is the rate‐determining step for this process.