Molecular structure of ethynylbenzene from electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure and benzene ring distortions of ethynylbenzene have been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the HF/6-31G^* and 6-3G^** levels. Least-squares refinement of a model withC _2v, symmetry, with constraints from the MO calculations, yielded the following important bond distances and angles:r _g(C _i -C _o )=1.407±0.003 Å,r _g(C _o -C _m )=1.397±0.003 Å,r _g(C _m -C _p )=1.400±0.003 Å,r _g(Cr _i -CCH)=1.436 ±0.004 Å,r _g(C=C)=1.205±0.005 Å, C _o -C _i -C _o =119.8±0.4°. The deformation of the benzene ring of ethynylbenzene given by the MO calculations, including o-C_i-C_o=119.4°, is insensitive to the basis set used and agrees with that obtained by low-temperature X-ray crystallography for the phenylethynyl fragment, C₆H₅-CC-, in two different crystal environments. The partial substitution structure of ethynylbenzene from microwave spectroscopy is shown to be inaccurate in the ipso region of the benzene ring.     

Synthesis, characterization, and norbornene polymerization of η-benzylnickel(II) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes

Neutral η¹-benzylnickel carbene complexes, [Ni(η¹-CH₂C₆H₅)(IiPr)(PMe₃)(Cl)] (3) (IiPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and [Ni(η¹-CH₂C₆H₅)(SIiPr)(PMe₃)(Cl)] (4) (SIiPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene), were prepared by the reaction between [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(PMe₃)(Cl)] and an equivalent amount of the corresponding free N-heterocyclic carbene. The preparation of η³-benzylnickel carbene complexes, [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(IiPr)(Cl)] (5) and [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(SIiPr)(Cl)] (6) were carried out by the abstraction of PMe₃ from 3 and 4 by the treatment of B(C₆F₅)₃. The treatment of AgX on 5 and 6 produced the anion-exchanged complexes, [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(NHC)(X)] (7, NHC = IiPr, X = O₂CCF₃; 8, NHC = IiPr, X = O₃SCF₃; 9, NHC = SIiPr, X = O₂CCF₃; 10, NHC = SIiPr, X = O₃SCF₃). The solid state structures of 3 and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The η³-benzyl complexes of IiPr (5, 7, and 8) alone, in the absence of any activators such as borate and MAO, showed good catalytic activity towards the vinyl-type norbornene polymerization. The catalyst was thermally robust and the activity increases as the temperature rises to 130 °C.     

Remarkable Lewis acid effects on polymerization of functionalized alkenes by metallocene and lithium ester enolates

Drastic effects of Lewis acids E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = Al, B) on polymerization of functionalized alkenes such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N,N-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA) mediated by metallocene and lithium ester enolates, Cp₂Zr[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂]₂ (1) and Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi, are documented as well as elucidated. In the case of metallocene bis(ester enolate) 1, when combined with 2 equiv. of Al(C₆F₅)₃, it effects highly active ion-pairing polymerization of MMA and DMAA; the living nature of this polymerization system allows for the synthesis of well-defined diblock and triblock copolymers of MMA with longer-chain alkyl methacrylates. In sharp contrast, the 1/2B(C₆F₅)₃ combination exhibits low to negligible polymerization activity due to the formation of ineffective adduct Cp₂Zr[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂]⁺[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (2). Such a profound Al vs. B Lewis acid effect has also been observed for the lithium ester enolate; while the Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi/2Al(C₆F₅)₃ system is highly active for MMA polymerization, the seemingly analogous Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OLi/2B(C₆F₅)₃ system is inactive. Structure analyses of the resulting lithium enolaluminate and enolborate adducts, Li⁺[Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (3) and Li⁺[Me₂CC(OⁱPr)OB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (4), coupled with polymerization studies, show that the remarkable differences observed for Al vs. B are due to the inability of the lithium enolborate/borane pair to effect the bimolecular, activated-monomer anionic polymerization as does the lithium enolaluminate/alane pair.     

Redox-active antifungal cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes with sterically hindered o-aminophenol derivatives

Co(II) complexes with 4,6-di(tert-butyl)-2-aminophenol (HL^I) and 2-anilino-4,6-di(tert-butyl)phenol (HL^II) have been synthesized and characterized by means of physico-chemical methods. The compounds HL^I and HL^II coordinate in their singly deprotonated forms and behave as bidentate O,N-coordinated ligands; their low-spin Co(II) complexes are characterized by CoN₂O₂ coordination modes and square planar geometry. Both the free ligands and their Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes (we have produced and characterized the latter before) exhibit a pronounced antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium lividum, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Monilia spp., which in a number of cases is comparable with that of Nystatin and Terbinafine or even higher. The reducing properties of the ligands and their metal(II) complexes, as well as their antifungal activities, were found to decrease in the order: Cu(L^I)₂ > Cu(L^II)₂ ? Co(L^I)₂ > Co(L^II)₂ > HL^I > HL^II.     

Study of copper complexes in saturated and unsaturated aqueous ammonium oxalate solutions containing Cu(II) impurity

The influence of Cu(II) impurity on chemical equilibria in unsaturated and saturated ammonium oxalate (AO) aqueous solutions was investigated as a function of concentration _ci$c_{\text{i}}$ of impurity. Using the computer programme “Hyss” the species present in the solutions were analysed. It was found that in the aqueous solutions of ammonium oxalate containing Cu(II) ions the following species are formed: Cu²⁺, Cu(OH)⁺, Cu(OH)₂, CuC₂O₄⁰ and Cu(C₂O₄)₂²⁻ in addition to C₂O₄²⁻, HC₂O₄⁻, H₂C₂O₄ and (NH₄)₂C₂O₄⁰ species, and their concentration depends on concentrations _ci$c_{\text{i}}$ of Cu(II) impurity and c of ammonium oxalate. The dependences of solution pH and of absorbance A   and the corresponding wavelength λ$\lambda$ for unsaturated aqueous solutions on ammonium oxalate concentration c   containing different concentrations _ci$c_{\text{i}}$ of Cu(II) ions showed three well-defined regions characterised by transition values of solution pH or solute concentration c. Speciation analysis revealed that Cu²⁺ and CuC₂O₄⁰, CuC₂O₄⁰ and Cu(C₂O₄₎₂²⁻, and Cu(C₂O₄)₂²⁻ complexes are predominantly present in the solute concentration intervals c≤0.01$c\le 0.01$ mol/dm³, 0.01 mol/dm³ <c<0.03$<c<0.03$ mol/dm³ and c≥0.03$c\ge 0.03$ mol/dm³, respectively. The concentration interval range 0.01 mol/dm³ <c<0.03$<c<0.03$ mol/dm³ corresponds to the pH interval where Cu(OH)₂ is precipitated. It was found that the solubility of ammonium oxalate at 30 °$°$C increases practically linearly with an increase in the concentration of Cu(II) impurity. Speciation analysis of saturated aqueous solutions of ammonium oxalate revealed that Cu(II) ions contained in AO saturated solutions exist mainly as Cu(C₂O₄)₂²⁻-type complexes, and the increase in the solubility of AO in the presence of Cu(II) impurity is essentially due to an increase in the ratio of the concentrations of CuC₂O₄⁰ and Cu(C₂O₄)₂²⁻ species.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium in binary systems of isomeric C8 aliphatic monoethers with acetonitrile and its interpretation by the COSMO-SAC model

The (liquid + liquid) solubility curves have been determined by a synthetic method for six binary mixtures of [acetonitrile + {heptyl methyl ether CH₃OⁿC₇H₁₅, or ethyl hexyl ether C₂H₅OⁿC₆H₁₃, or pentyl propyl ether ⁿC₃H₇OⁿC₅H₁₁, or isopentyl propyl ether ⁿC₃H₇Oⁱ C₅H₁₁, or dibutyl ether ⁿC₄H₉OⁿC₄H₉, or butyl isobutyl ether ⁿC₄H₉OⁱC₄H₉}]. The possibility of the COSMO-SAC model to account for the thermodynamic differences between these systems has been tested and the discussion on the influence of screening charge of ethers on the system properties was undertaken.     

Asymmetric enamide hydrogenation in the synthesis of N-acetylcolchinol: a key intermediate for ZD6126

A synthesis of N-acetylcolchinol, a key intermediate in the synthesis of ZD6126, was developed. The enantiodifferentiating step required the catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of an enamide. After screening a range of metal and ligand combinations it was found that (S,S)-ⁱPr-FerroTANE Ru(methallyl)₂ and [(S,S)-^tBuFerroTANE Rh(COD)]BF₄ gave both high enantioselectivity (>90% ee) and high catalyst utility (molar S/C = 1000).     

Advantages of the Ns group in the reactions of N-SO2R inosines with benzylamine and with NH3

The reactivity of N¹-alkylsulfonyl- and N¹-arylsulfonyl-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetylinosine with benzylamine and with ¹⁵NH₃, regarding the attack on C2, has been shown to be in the order CF₃SO₂ (Tf) > 2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃SO₂ (DNs) ? 4-NO₂C₆H₄SO₂ (pNs) ≈ C₆F₅SO₂ (PFBs) > 2-NO₂C₆H₄SO₂ (Ns) ? CH₃SO₂ (Ms) > 4-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂ (Ts) > 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂SO₂ (Mts). In spite of its intermediate reactivity, the Ns group is the most appropriate, since in this case the formation of by-products is minimised during the ring-opening and ring-closing steps of the process. Another advantage of the Ns group is thus disclosed.     

Cationic η-benzyl nickel compounds with diphosphine ligands as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization/polymerization: influence of the diphosphine bite angle

The oligomerization and/or polymerization of ethylene catalyzed by the cationic η³-benzylcomplexes [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₄-p-CF₃)(P-P)]⁺ BPh₄⁻ (P-P=ⁱPr₂P(CH₂)_nPⁱPr₂, n=1-3) have been studied. The activity of these single component catalysts depends on the length of the (CH₂)_n bridge of the diphosphine ligand. Thus, the dippm derivative (n=1) displays higher activity than compounds of the dippe (n=2) or dippp (n=3) ligands. The molecular weight of the products is also a function of n, and varies in the order dippm > dippe > dippp, with the former two catalysts giving rise to low molecular weight polyethylenes and the latter to oligomers.     

Energy transfer as a function of collision energy. I Collision partners: Hydrogen halides + inert gases,hydrogen halides,H2S and propane

Infrared emission has been recorded from a heated seeded supersonic primary beam of HCl or HF (1) prior to collision with a target beam, and (2) subsequent to that collision. Mean collision energy and collision partner were varied systematically. After correction for elastic scattering, the net population change due to inelastic scattering in a translation—rotation (T ? R) energy-transfer encounter was obtained for specific J states ranging from J = 0–16 of vibrational level υ = 1 of the primary-beam molecule. The broad picture is that a net transfer into low-J states out of higher-J states takes place at low collision energies, and the converse at high collision energies. These observations are interpreted in terms of the “exponential model” for the relative cross sections of T ? R inelastic collisions, S^R (J_i → J_f), proposed earlier [J.C. Polanyi and K.B. Woodall, J. Chem. Phys. 56 (1972) 1563], modified here to satisfy microscopic reversibility. The constant C in the model, which governs the exponential decrease in S^R with increasing energy difference ΔE_J between J_f and J_i, can be derived, as a function of collision energy T, from the present experimental data; C decreases as T increases, i.e. larger ΔJ become more probable. In order to check the validity of the model, it was compared with 3D trajectory results; according to this criterion it was found to give a very good representation of S^R(J_i → J_f) with a single value for C, within a limited range of J_i. The collision partners HCl + HF exhibit anomalously efficient rotational deactivation; evidence is presented which indicates that at low collision energies this is due to resonant R → R transfer. Very efficient deactivation of HCl by HCl, at low collision energy, is likely to be due to V — V transfer.     

Strictly heterodinuclear compounds containing U and Cu or Ni ions

Treatment of [M(H₂Lⁱ)] with UCl₄ in pyridine led to the formation of the dinuclear complexes [MLⁱ(py)UCl₂(py)₂] and/or [Hpy][MLⁱ(py)UCl₃] [Lⁱ = N,N′-bis(3-hydroxysalicylidene)-R, R = 1,2-phenylenediamine (i = 1), R = trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (i = 2), R = 2-amino-benzylamine (i = 3), R = 1,3-propanediamine (i = 4), R = 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (i = 5); M = Cu or Ni]. The crystal structures show that the 3d and 5f ions occupy, respectively, the N₂O₂ and O₄ cavities of the Schiff base ligand, the U⁴⁺ ion adopting a dodecahedral or pentagonal bipyramidal configuration in the neutral and anionic complexes, respectively.     

Synthesis and MMA polymerization of chiral ansa-zirconocene ester enolate complexes with C2- and Cs-ligation

A series of chiral ansa-zirconocene ester enolate complexes incorporating C₂- or C_s-symmetric ligands, including neutral rac-(EBI)ZrCl[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂] (1), rac-(EBI)Zr(OTf)[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂] (2), rac-(EBI)Zr(OTf)[OC(OMe)C(Me)CH₂C(Me₂)C(OⁱPr)O] (3), [Me₂C(Cp)(Flu)]ZrMe[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂] (4), and cationic [Me₂C(Cp)(Flu)]Zr⁺(THF)[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂][MeB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (5), have been synthesized. Within the neutral C₂-ligated zirconocene ester enolate series, the chloride derivative 1 is inactive toward any methyl methacrylate (MMA) additions, the methyl derivative rac-(EBI)ZrMe[OC(OⁱPr)CMe₂] adds cleanly only 1 equiv. of MMA, and the triflate derivative 2 can add either 1 equiv. of MMA to form the single-MMA-addition product 3 or multiple equivalents of MMA to form P(MMA). Unlike the C_s-ligated methyl cation [Me₂C(Cp)(Flu)ZrMe]⁺, which is inactive for MMA polymerization under various conditions, the C_s-ligated ester enolate cation 5 is moderately active for polymerization of MMA and N,N-dimethylacrylamide at ambient temperature; the resulting P(MMA) has a high molecular weight of M_n = 388 000 Da but a low syndiotacticity of [rr] = 64%, and the polymerization conforms to a chain-end control mechanism.     

Synthesis and reaction chemistry of [(μ-SeR)(μ-σ,π-CCPh)]Fe2(CO)6

RSeCCPh (1a, R = Et; 1b, R = n-Bu; 1c, R = Ph; 1d, R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) reacts with equimolar amounts of Fe₂(CO)₉ (2) to give [(μ-SeR)(μ-σ,π-CCPh)]Fe₂(CO)₆ (3a, R = Et; 3b, R = n-Bu; 3c, R = Ph; 3d, R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂).Complexes 3a-3d exist as two isomers, depending on the axial or equatorial position of R at selenium.Addition of P(OⁱC₃H₇)₃ (4) to 3d affords {(μ-Se-2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)[μ-η¹-CCPh(P(OⁱC₃H₇)₃)]}Fe₂(CO)₆ (5) along with {(μ-Se-2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)[μ-η¹:η¹-PhCC(P(OⁱC₃H₇)₃)]}Fe₂(CO)₆ (6).The solid-state structures of 3d, 5 and 6 were determined by single X-ray structure analysis.In mononuclear 3d the Fe(CO)₃ fragments are bridged by a μ-Se-2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ and a μ-σ,π-CCPh unit, resulting in an over-all butterfly arrangement.Due to steric reasons, the mesityl group is pointing away from the PhCC entity and hence, is located in an equatorial position.Compounds 5 and 6, which co-crystallise in the ratio of 7:93, feature aμ-bridging 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂Se unit and either a vinylidenic CCPh(P(OⁱC₃H₇)₃) (complex 5) or a olefinic PhCC(P(OⁱC₃H₇)₃) (complex 6) building block of which the latter entity is part of a diiron cyclobutene ring.     

Intra-cluster proton transfer in anilide-(HF)n (n = 1-4): Can the size of HF cluster influence the N?H-F → N-H?F switching

The impact of the HF cluster size on the proton-transfer switch between N⁻?H-F and N-H?F⁻ in the anilide-(HF)_n = 1-4 complexes was investigated by means of the quantum chemical methods. The change in the H-bond strength due to variation of the HF cluster size was well monitored by change in the binding energy (BE), structural parameter, electron density topology, natural charge and charge transfer. For n = 1, our results at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level show that the minimum-energy structure corresponds to the H-bonded complex PhNH⁻?HF with excess negative charge localized on the N atom of the anilide anion. For n > 1, minimum energy structures correspond to PhNH₂?F⁻(HF)_1-3 ones, namely a solvated F⁻ ion. This is a case in which the relative change in the acidity of the HF is observed in the ground state as the size of cluster increases. The nature of the weak interactions in the complexes was characterized by means of atoms in molecules (AIM) and the natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses.     

Effect of substituents on the catalytic properties of bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride complexes with polymethylaluminoxane and AlBu1 3/CPh3B(C6F5)4 cocatalysts in ethylene polymerization

The catalytic properties of the complexes (RCp)₂ZrCl₂ (R=H, Me, Prⁱ, Buⁿ, Buⁱ, Me₃Si,cyclo-C₆H₁₁), and Me₂SiCp^*NBuⁱZrCl₂ (Cp^*=C₅(CH₃)₄) combined with the AlBuⁱ ₃−CPh₃B(C₆F₅)₄ cocatalyst in ethylene polymerization were studied. The specific activity of the substituted bis-cyclopentadienyl complexes decreases in the sequence: Me>Prⁱ>Buⁿ>Buⁱ>Me₃Si>cyclo-C₆H₁₁, which corresponds to the activity sequence for these complexes activated by polymethylaluminoxane (MAO) but is 4–20 times lower in absolute value. Comparison of the polyethylene samples obtained in the presence of the same complexes with MAO and AlBuⁱ ₃−CPh₃B(C₆F₅)₄ cocatalysts showed that polyethylene with much higher molecular mass, melting point, and crystallinity is formed in the presence of the ternary catalytic systems, and this indicates a different nature of the active sites of the catalytic systems. The effective activation energy of polymerization (≈3.6 kcal mol⁻¹), first order with respect to monomer and ≈0.4 order with respect to organoaluminum component, was found for the (PrⁱCo)₂ZrCl₂−AlBuⁱ ₃−CPh₃B(C₆F₅)₄ catalytic system. It was proposed on the basis of the kinetic data that AlⁱBu₃ enters into the composition of the active site to form a bridged heteronuclear cationic complex. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp 301–307, February, 2000.     

Thermal behaviour of hexanuclear titanium(IV) oxo isopropoxide carboxylates,and their usability as a single-source TiO2 CVD precursors

Hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) isopropoxide carboxylates, of the general formula [Ti₆O₆(OPrⁱ)₆(O₂CR)₆] (R = Bu^t (1), CH₂Bu^t (2)) and [Ti₆O₆(OPrⁱ)₆(O₂CC(CH₃)₂Et)₆] · 0.5(C₇H₈) (3), have been synthesized as polycrystalline powders in order to study their thermal properties and usability as TiO₂ CVD precursors. Analysis of thermogravimetric and variable temperature (VT-IR) data shows that the thermal stability of the synthesized complexes decreases as follows 3 > 2 > 1. The composition of the vapors formed during the thermolysis of 1–3 were qualitatively analysed with VT-IR methods and mass spectrometry (MS-EI). According to obtained results, the decomposition of 1 and 2 proceeds with a partial decomposition and the formation of a volatile and stable titanium species, sufficient for their transport in vapors. The formation of volatile titanium-containing derivatives is an important factor that decides the application of 1 and 2 as precursors in CVD experiments. The high stability of 3 causes the thermal decomposition of this complex to be observed just above 573 K, and volatile titanium-containing derivatives were not detected in vapors. These results indicate that 3 could not be used as a precursor in CVD processes.     

Quantum chemical studies of propene,ethylene, acetylene and dihydrogen reactivity in the insertion reaction into the titanium-alkyl bond

Using the ab initio method of SCF MO LCAO

1 SCF MO LCAO: Self-consistent field molecular orbital linear combination of atomic orbitals.

in a valency-splitted basis of the Gaussian functions we have studied the addition of various monomers (C₃H₈, C₂H₄, C₂H₂) and dihydrogen to the titanium-alkyl bond in the complex H₂TiCH₃. The structure of transition states in the insertion reaction, heats of π-complex formation and activation energies for the insertion of the coordinated monomers have been calculated. The calculation results show that the reactivity decreases in the order C₂H₂ > C₂H₄ > C₃H₈ > H₂. According to the results obtained, the energy of the π^*-antibonding orbital of monomers can serve as an index of relative reactivity in the insertion reaction into the metal-alkyl bond.     

Kinetic Control in the Chiral Recognition of Three‐Bladed Propellers

The ion pair of the stereolabile C₃‐symmetric, i⁺o proton complex [ 1? H]⁺ of diaza‐macropentacycle 1 and the configurationally stable Δ‐TRISPHAT ([Δ‐ 3 ]^?) anion exists in the form of two diastereomers, namely, [Δ‐( 1? H)][Δ‐ 3 ] and [Λ‐( 1? H)][Δ‐ 3 ], the ratio of which, in terms of diastereomeric excess (de) decreases in the order [D₈]THF (28 %)>CD₂Cl₂ (22 %)>CDCl₃ (20 %)>[D₈]toluene (16 %)>C₆D₆ (7 %)>[D₆]acetone (0 %) at thermodynamic equilibrium. Except in the case of [D₆]acetone, the latter is reached after a period of time that increases from 1 h ([D₈]THF) to 24 h (CDCl₃). Moreover, the initial value of the de of [ 1? H][Δ‐ 3 ] in CDCl₃, before the thermodynamic equilibrium is reached, depends on the solvent in which the sample has been previously equilibrated (sample “history”). This property has been used to show that the crystals of [ 1? H][Δ‐ 3 ] formed by slow evaporation of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH mixtures had 100 % de, which indicates that [ 1? H][Δ‐ 3 ] has enjoyed a crystallization‐induced asymmetric transformation. Structural studies in solution (NMR spectroscopy) and in the gas phase by calculations at the semiempirical PM6 level of theory suggest that the optically active anion is docked on the i⁺ (endo) external side of the proton complex such that one of the aromatic rings of [Δ‐ 3 ]^? is inserted into a groove of [ 1? H]⁺, a second aromatic ring being placed astride the outside i⁺ pocket. Solvent polarity controls the thermodynamics of inversion of the [ 1? H]⁺ propeller. However, both polarity and basicity control its kinetics. Therefore, the rate‐limiting steps correspond to the ion‐pair separation/recombination and [ 1? H]⁺/ 1 deprotonation/protonation processes, rather than the inversion of [ 1? H]⁺, the latter being likely to take place in the deprotonated form ( 1 ).     

Estimation of the 2.05 helix type i→i hydrogen bond energy at Aib-Oxa motif: an isodesmic approach

Bending at the valence angle N–C^α–C′ (τ) is a known control feature for attenuating the stability of the rare intramolecular i→i hydrogen bonded pseudo five-membered ring C₅ structures, the so called 2.0₅ helices, at Aib. The competitive 3₁₀-helical structures still predominate over the C₅ structures at Aib for most values of τ. However at Aib^∗, a mimic of Aib where the carbonyl O of Aib is replaced with an imidate N (in 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine = Oxa), in the peptidomimic Piv-Pro-Aib^∗-Oxa (1), the C₅i structure is persistent in both crystals and in solution. Here we show that the i→i hydrogen bond energy is a more determinant control for the relative stability of the C₅ structure and estimate its value to be 18.5 ± 0.7 kJ/mol at Aib^∗ in 1, through the computational isodesmic reaction approach, using two independent sets of theoretical isodesmic reactions.     

Segregated aromatic π-π stacking interactions involving fluorinated and non-fluorinated benzene rings: Cu(py)2(pfb)2 and Cu(py)2(pfb)2(H2O) (py = pyridine and pfb = pentafluorobenzoate)

The syntheses, physical characterization and crystal structures of two new molecular copper(II) complexes of composition [Cu(C₅H₅N)₂(C₇F₅O₂)₂] (1) and [Cu(C₅H₅N)₂(C₇F₅O₂)₂(H₂O)] (2) (C₅H₅N = py = pyridine and C₇F₅O₂⁻ = pfb = pentafluorobenzoate) are reported. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations revealed that in 1, the Cu²⁺ ion, which lies on a crystallographic inversion centre, is coordinated to two py molecules and two oxygen atoms from two monodentate pfb anions, resulting in a trans-CuN₂O₂ square planar geometry. In 2, the Cu²⁺ ion is also coordinated to two py and two pfb species in addition to a water molecule in the apical site of a distorted CuN₂O₃ square pyramid. In the crystal packing, both 1 and 2 show segregated aromatic π-π stacking interactions in which (py + py) and (pfb + pfb) ring-pairings are seen, but no (py + pfb) pairings occur. Crystal data: 1: C₂₄H₁₀CuF₁₀N₂O₄, M_r = 643.88, space group , a = 8.0777 (3) Å, b = 8.0937 (3) Å, c = 10.5045 (5) Å, α = 90.916 (3)°, β = 93.189 (2)°, γ = 118.245 (3)°, V = 603.36 (4) Å³, Z = 1. 2: C₂₄H₁₂CuF₁₀N₂O₅, M_r = 661.90, space group , a = 7.5913 (5) Å, b = 15.6517 (6) Å, c = 21.1820 (14) Å, α = 95.697 (4)°, β = 94.506 (2)°, γ = 91.492 (4)°, V = 2495.2 (3) Å³, Z = 4.