Routes of π-electron delocalization in 4-substituted-1,2-benzoquinones

The substituent effect in 4-substituted-1,2-benzoquinone is investigated by means of modeling using B3LYP hybrid functional in conjunction with the 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The interrelation between different types of substituents, X = NO, NO(2), CN, CHO, H, Me, OMe, OH, NH(2), NHMe and N(Me)(2), and both CO groups has been characterized both qualitatively and then quantitatively by means of several measures of π-electron delocalization (HOMA, MCI, DI, FLU) based on structural and electronic properties of 4-substituted-1,2-benzoquinones chosen for analysis. Results of this analysis clearly show that only the meta-placed CO group is affected by substituents, whereas the para-placed CO group is rather insensitive to substitution. These observations may help to explain diversified chemical properties (including reactivity) of CO centers in o-benzoquinone derivatives. Among others, they may explain differences in proton-accepting properties of carbonyl O atoms, as it is shown for simple models in which carbonyl groups in o-benzoquinone act as proton acceptors in H-bonds of O···H-F type.     

Me3NO存在下Ru3(CO)11L的CO取代反应动力学与机理

本文研究了在Me_3NO存在下Ru_3(CO)_(11)L(L_=PPh_3,PBu_3~n)的CO取代反应动力学,并提出了可能的机理。Ru_3(CO)_(11)L中的CO被配体L取代生成Ru_3(CO)_9L_3。当L=PPh_3,r=(k_1 k_2[Me_3NO])[Ru_3(CO)_(11)L];L=PBu_3~n,r=(k_1 k_2[PBu_3~n])[Ru_3(CO)_(11)L].除了涉及简单的离解机理外,还存在着按缔合机理进行的简单CO热取代与Me_3NO对Ru_3(CO)_(11)L中羰基碳的进攻。     

Quasi－aromaticity in Cluster Chemistry Ⅱ． Localized Molecular Orbital Studies on 〔Co_6（CO）_（14）〕~（4－） and 〔Ni_2Co_4（CO）_（14）〕~（2－） Cluster Anions

Ｑｕａｓｉ－ａｒｏｍａｔｉｃｉｔｙｉｎＣｌｕｓｔｅｒＣｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙⅡ．ＬｏｃａｌｉｚｅｄＭｏｌｅｃｕｌａｒＯｒｂｉｔａｌＳｔｕｄｉｅｓｏｎ〔Ｃｏ_６（ＣＯ）_（１４）〕~（４－）ａｎｄ〔Ｎｉ_２Ｃｏ_４（ＣＯ）_（１４）〕~（２－）ＣｌｕｓｔｅｒＡｎｉ?..     

Electronic spectra and electrochemistry of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridinetetracarbonylmolybdenum complexes. Solvent and substituent effects

Electronic absorption spectra of cis-[Mo(CO)₄(n,n′-X₂-bipy)] (n = 4, X = NMe₂, NH₂, OMe, CMe₃, Me, H, Ph, CH:CHPh, CO₂H, Cl, CO₂Me, NO; n=5, X = Me, CO₂H) have been measured at ambient temperature in a variety of solvents of different polarity. Emission spectra from glasses containing the complexes at 77 K have also been measured. The influence of the substituent X on the spectroscopic properties is correlated with the Hammett parameters, σ_p (X) and σ_p⁺ (X). The effect of solvent is correlated with the Taft-Kamlet parameter, π^★, indicating charge redistribution along the permanent dipole axis of the complex. The oxidation and reduction potentials in solution are simply related to the electronic effect of the substituent group, X, and are relatively independent of the solvent. The influence of the metal on these properties is not significant.     

Hydride affinity scale of various substituted arylcarbeniums in acetonitrile

Combined with the integral equation formalism polarized continuum model (IEFPCM), the hydride affinities of 96 various acylcarbenium ions in the gas phase and CH(3)CN were estimated by using the B3LYP/6-31+G(d)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), and BLYP/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) methods for the first time. The results show that the combination of the BLYP/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) method and IEFPCM could successfully predict the hydride affinities of arylcarbeniums in MeCN with a precision of about 3 kcal/mol. On the basis of the calculated results from the BLYP method, it can be found that the hydride affinity scale of the 96 arylcarbeniums in MeCN ranges from -130.76 kcal/mol for NO(2)-PhCH(+)-CN to -63.02 kcal/mol for p-(Me)(2)N-PhCH(+)-N(Me)(2), suggesting most of the arylcarbeniums are good hydride acceptors. Examination of the effect of the number of phenyl rings attached to the carbeniums on the hydride affinities shows that the increase of the hydride affinities takes place linearly with increasing number of benzene rings in the arylcarbeniums. Analyzing the effect of the substituents on the hydride affinities of arylcarbeniums indicates that electron-donating groups decrease the hydride affinities and electron-withdrawing groups show the opposite effect. The hydride affinities of arylcarbeniums are linearly dependent on the sum of the Hammett substituent parameters σ(p)(+). Inspection of the correlation of the solution-phase hydride affinities with gas-phase hydride affinities and aqueous-phase pK(R)(+) values reveals a remarkably good correspondence of ΔG(H(-)A)(R(+)) with both the gas-phase relative hydride affinities only if the α substituents X have no large electron-donating or -withdrawing properties and the pK(R)(+) values even though the media are dramatically different. The solution-phase hydride affinities also have a linear relationship with the electrophilicity parameter E, and this dependence can certainly serve as one of the most effective ways to estimate the new E values from ΔG(H(-)A)(R(+)) or vice versa. Combining the hydride affinities and the reduction potentials of the arylcarbeniums, we obtained the bond homolytic dissociation Gibbs free energy changes of the C-H bonds in the corresponding hydride adducts in acetonitrile, ΔG(HD)(RH), and found that the effects of the substituent on ΔG(HD)(RH) are very small. Simple thermodynamic analytic platforms for the three C-H cleavage modes were constructed. It is evident that the present work would be helpful in understanding the nature of the stabilities of the carbeniums and mechanisms of the hydride transfers between carbeniums and other hydride donors.     

Experimental and theoretical vibrational study of isatin, its 5-(NO2, F, Cl, Br, I, CH3) analogues and the isatinato anion

Effects of 5-R substitution (R = NO2, F, Cl, Br, I, CH3) and N-deprotonation on the 4000-400 cm(-1) region of the low temperature FT IR spectrum and the molecular structure of solid isatin are investigated. Harmonic IR spectra and molecular geometries of the 5-R isatins (except for Br and I analogues) are calculated at the HF/6-31G(d, p) level and compared with the experimental solid-state data. In general, substitution has small effect on the molecular structure and the IR spectrum of isatin. The v(CO) triplet in the IR spectra of isatin and its 5-substituted analogues is resulted by vibrational splitting of the out-of-phase CO stretching, v(op)[(CO)2]. While the frequency of the v(op)[(CO)2] mode is relatively less affected by 5-substitution and mainly depends on the substituent mass, the frequency of the in-phase stretching, v(ip)[(CO)2], is strongly sensitive to both mass and electronic properties of the substituent. Substitution at C5 has relatively greater influence on the electron density and the force constant of the amide than on the ketone carbonyl group. Strong electron-donors shorten and stabilize the unusually long alpha-dicarbonyl CC bond, while electron-accepting groups tend to stretch this bond further. N-Deprotonation brings to elongation of the five membered-ring along the N-C(CO(ketone)) vector and expansion of the bonds within the alpha-dicarbonyl part. Theoretical v(CO) frequency of isatin is lowered for about 180 cm(-1) upon conversion into isatinato ion. Harmonic vibrational analysis reveals that only the highest-frequency v(CO) mode of the isolated isatinato anion can be considered good group vibration for empirical assignments in spectra of solid isatinates. Owing to the solid-state influences on the v[(CO)2] modes, no reliable spectra structure correlations could be established from the present experimental spectroscopic data.     

A new family of spin crossover complexes with a tripod ligand containing three imidazoles: synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of [FeIIH3LMe](NO3)2.1.5H2O, [FeIIILMe].3.5H2O, [FeIIH3LMe][FeIILMe]NO3, and [FeIIH3LMe][FeIIILMe](NO3)2 (H3LMe) = Tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine)

A new family of spin crossover complexes, [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](NO(3))(2).1.5H(2)O (1), [Fe(III)L(Me)].3.5H(2)O (2), [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(II)L(Me)]NO(3) (3), and [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(III)L(Me)](NO(3))(2) (4), has been synthesized and characterized, where H(3)L(Me) denotes a hexadentate N(6) tripod ligand containing three imidazole groups, tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine. It was found that the spin and oxidation states of the iron complexes with this tripod ligand are tuned by the degree of deprotonation of the imidazole groups and by the 2-methyl imidazole substituent. Magnetic susceptibility and M?ssbauer studies revealed that 1 is an HS-Fe(II) complex, 2 exhibits a spin equilibrium between HS and LS-Fe(III), 3 exhibits a two-step spin transition, where the component [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) with the deprotonated ligand participates in the spin transition process in the higher temperature range and the component [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) with the neutral ligand participates in the spin transition process in the lower temperature range, and 4 exhibits spin transition of both the Fe(II) and Fe(III) sites. The crystal structure of 3 consists of homochiral extended 2D puckered sheets, in which the capped tripodlike components [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) and [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) are alternately arrayed in an up-and-down mode and are linked by the imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the adjacent 2D homochiral sheets are stacked in the crystal lattice yielding a conglomerate as confirmed by the enantiomeric circular dichorism spectra. Compounds 3 and 4 showed the LIESST (light induced excited spin state trapping) and reverse-LIESST effects upon irradiation with green and red light, respectively.     

Lewis碱稳定的硼代苯与亲二烯体的Diels-Alder反应的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论方法在B3LYP/6-31G(d)水平上研究了Lewis碱稳定的硼代苯与一些亲二烯体的两种可能的Diels-Alder反应的微观机理和势能剖面, 并研究了反应的溶剂效应和取代基效应. 计算结果表明, 一部分反应以直接的近同步的协同方式进行, 而在另一部分反应中, 两个反应物分子先形成分子间复合物, 然后再经过协同的过渡态生成产物. 与气相中相比, 二氯甲烷溶剂使所研究的大部分反应的活化能垒有所增加. 在乙炔或乙烯分子中分别引入吸电子基团CO2Me或CN能显著降低反应的活化能垒. 形成一个C—B键的杂Diels-Alder反应都比相应的Diels-Alder反应在热力学和动力学上容易进行, 这与实验结果一致.     

Ionization and appearance potential measurements in arene chromium tricarbonyls

The ionisation potentials and the appearance potentials for ions arising from the loss of carbonyl groups as well as certain other low-energy fragmentation ions have been measured for a series of substituted arene chromium tricarbonyls. The values obtained are found to correlate very well, for the loss of one and two carbonyl groups, with both the CO force constant k and the Hammett σ_p function and substituent on the benzene ring. The appearance potentials of the ions arising by the loss of three carbonyl groups do not exhibit a high correlation. Arene⁺ ions are found to occur at energies intermediate between those for the loss of two and three carbonyl groups.The various effects observed are discussed in terms of a model which involves definite contributions from both σ- and π- bonding of carbonyl groups in the gaseous cations.     

The effect of a 3-benzyl group on the coordination chemistry of homoscorpionate ligands

New homoscorpionate ligands containing a 3-benzyl substituent, hydrotris(3-benzyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, Tp(Bn,Me), and hydrotris(3-benzyl-4-phenylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, Tp(Bn,4Ph), have been synthesized, and the dynamic behavior of a number of metal complexes was studied by NMR. Structures of the complexes Tl[Tp(Bn,Me)], 1, Tl[Tp(Bn,4Ph)], 2, Co[Tp(Bn,Me)][Tp(Np)], 3, Mo[Tp(Bn,Me)](CO)(2)NO, 4, Co[Tp(Bn,4Ph)][Tp], 5, and Mo[Tp(Bn,Me)](CO)(2)(eta(3)-methallyl), 6, were determined by X-ray crystallography. In the Tp(Bn,Me) ligand, the benzyl group is freely rotating and provides less steric hindrance to the coordinated metal than a neopentyl group, but steric hindrance is increased in the Tp(Bn,4Ph) ligand, where the rotation of the benzyl substituent is restricted by the 4-phenyl substituent.     

Carbon monoxide coordination and reversible photodissociation in copper(I) pyridylalkylamine compounds

Systematic studies of CO coordination and photodissociation have been carried out for a series of copper(I) carbonyl compounds possessing tripodal tetradentate ligands, [CuI(L)(CO)]B(C6F5)4 (L = Me2N-TMPA (1Me2N), MeO-TMPA (1MeO), H-TMPA (1H), PMEA (2pmea), PMAP (2pmap), BQPA (3bqpa). Detailed structural, electrochemical, and infrared characterization has been accomplished. In addition, various experimental techniques were utilized to determine equilibrium binding constants (KCO), association (kCO), and dissociation (k-CO) rate constants, as well as the thermodynamic (DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees ) and activation parameters (DeltaH, DeltaS) that regulate these processes. With increased ligand-electron-donating ability, greater pi back-bonding results in stronger Cu-CO bonds, leading to KCO values on the order 1Me2N-CO > 1MeO-CO > 1H-CO. With systematic synthetic expansion of the five-membered chelate rings like 1R to six-membered chelate rings like 2R, the stability of the CO adduct decreases, 1H-CO > 2pmea-CO > 2pmap-CO. The CO-binding properties of 3bqpa did not follow trends observed for the other compounds, presumably because of its bulkier ligand framework. Through solid- and solution-state analyses, we concluded that the photolabile carbonyl species in solution possess a tridentate coordination mode, forming strictly five-membered chelate rings to the copper ion with one dangling arm of the tripodal ligand. Carbon monoxide reversibly photodissociated from complexes 1Me2N-CO, 1MeO-CO, 1H-CO, and 3bqpa-CO in coordinating (CH3CN) and weakly coordinating (THF) solvent but not from 2pmea-CO and 2pmap-CO. Comparisons to O2-binding data available for these copper complexes as well as to small molecule (O2, CO, NO) reactions with hemes and copper proteins are discussed.     

Evidence of substituent-induced electronic interplay. Effect of the remote aromatic ring substituent of phenyl benzoates on the sensitivity of the carbonyl unit to electronic effects of phenyl or benzoyl ring substituents

Carbonyl carbon (13)C NMR chemical shifts delta(C)(C[double bond]O) measured in this work for a wide set of substituted phenyl benzoates p-Y-C(6)H(4)CO(2)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = NO(2), CN, Cl, Br, H, Me, or MeO; Y = NO(2), Cl, H, Me, MeO, or NMe(2) ) have been used as a tool to study substituent effects on the carbonyl unit. The goal of the work was to study the cross-interaction between X and Y in that respect. Both the phenyl substituents X and the benzoyl substituents Y have a reverse effect on delta(C)(C[double bond]O). Electron-withdrawing substituents cause shielding while electron-donating ones have an opposite influence, with both inductive and resonance effects being significant. The presence of cross-interaction between X and Y could be clearly verified. Electronic effects of the remote aromatic ring substituents systematically modify the sensitivity of the C[double bond]O group to the electronic effects of the phenyl or benzoyl ring substituents. Electron-withdrawing substituents in one ring decrease the sensitivity of delta(C)(C[double bond]O) to the substitution of another ring, while electron-donating substituents inversely affect the sensitivity. It is suggested that the results can be explained by substituent-sensitive balance of the contributions of different resonance structures (electron delocalization, Scheme 1).     

An absolute integrated infrared intensity study of (η6C6H5R)Cr(CO)2(CS) (R = H,Me, Cl,CO2Me)

The absolute integrated i.r. intensities of the CO and CS stretching bands of the thiocarbonyl complexes (η⁶C₆H₅R)Cr(CO)₂(CS), where R = H, Me, Cl and CO₂Me, have been determined in CS₂ solutions. The intensities have been correlated with each other and with the band wavenumbers, and have been shown to be dependent on the nature of the substituent R in the aromatic ring. The intensities have been demonstrated to be better probes of the electronic effects occurring in these complexes than are the wavenumbers, and correlate well with the Hammett substituent parameters, σ⁰.     

Spectral investigation of the intramolecular charge-transfer in some aminotriazole Schiff bases

3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases were reported to contain intramolecular charge-transfer. The enhancing and depressing effects were remarkable as the substituent was changed from electron-donating to electron-withdrawing groups. The path of the resonating delocalization was reversed in the case of the p-NO2 group. To validate these results we effectively used Weinhold et al's natural bond orbital analysis to assess the UV and FT-IR spectrophotometric monitoring of the change reflected in this phenomenon when the substituent in the benzene ring is altered. The NBO analysis was simulated by ab inito computations at the HF/6-31G(d) level of theory, in order to properly detect any possible presence of a hydrogen bond association. The changes occurring in electron occupancies of double-centered bonds, antibonding orbitals and in lone-pair orbitals appraised the results, as did the s and p character listings of the two-centered bonds and the simultaneous changes occurring in the geometric parameters of the molecules in question. Contrary to its normal preference, in these molecules the nitrogen used sp2 hybrid orbitals for its interaction, housing its electron lone-pair in the third p hybrid orbital. Furthermore, NBO analysis reflected the presence of a very soft intramolecular hydrogen association (C-H?π), labelled by UV and FT-IR assignments, between the benzene and triazole rings in all Schiff bases but p-N(Me)2. The n-π* stabilization energy decreased in the order: p-OH>p-OCH3>p-Cl>p-CH3>H>p-NO2>o-OH. The relation between the band position and Hammett substitution constant is interpreted in relation to the molecular structure.     

Nature of M-Ga Bonds in cationic metal-gallylene complexes of iron, ruthenium, and osmium, [(η5-C5H5)(L)2M(GaX)]+: a theoretical study

Density Functional Theory calculations have been performed for the cationic half-sandwich gallylene complexes of iron, ruthenium, and osmium [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(L)(2)M(GaX)](+) (M = Fe, L = CO, PMe(3); X = Cl, Br, I, NMe(2), Mes; M = Ru, Os: L = CO, PMe(3); X = I, NMe(2), Mes) at the BP86/TZ2P/ZORA level of theory. Calculated geometric parameters for the model iron iodogallylene system [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(Me(3)P)(2)Fe(GaI)](+) are in excellent agreement with the recently reported experimental values for [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(dppe)Fe(GaI)](+). The M-Ga bonds in these systems are shorter than expected for single bonds, an observation attributed not to significant M-Ga π orbital contributions, but due instead primarily to high gallium s-orbital contributions to the M-Ga bonding orbitals. Such a finding is in line with the tenets of Bent's Rule insofar as correspondingly greater gallium p-orbital character is found in the bonds to the (more electronegative) gallylene substituent X. Consistent with this, ΔE(σ) is found to be overwhelmingly the dominant contribution to the orbital interaction between [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(L)(2)M](+) and [GaX] fragments (with ΔE(π) equating to only 8.0-18.6% of the total orbital contributions); GaX ligands thus behave as predominantly σ-donor ligands. Electrostatic contributions to the overall interaction energy ΔE(int) are also very important, being comparable in magnitude (or in some cases even larger than) the corresponding orbital interactions.     

Binuclear metal carbonyl dab complexes : VII. A 13C NMR investigation of MM′(CO)6(DAB) complexes (M = M ′ = Fe,Ru; M = Mn,Re and M′ = Co; DAB = 1,4-diazabutadiene). Dynamic behaviour of σ2-N, σ2-N′, η2-C=N coordinated dab in MnCo(CO)6(DAB) and local scrambling of the carbonyl groups

The ¹³C NMR spectra of MM′(CO)₆(DAB) complexes (M = M′ = Fe, Ru; M = Mn, Re and M′ = Co; DAB = 1,4-diazabutadiene) show very characteristic features which are directly related with the bonding mode of the DAB ligand to the binuclear metal carbonyl fragment. In these complexes the DAB ligand is σ²-N, μ²-N′, η²-C=N or σ²-N, σ²-N′, η²-C=N coordinated. Chemical shifts of about 175 ppm are observed for the σ-coordinated imine fragments and about 60 or 80 ppm for the η²-C=N coordinated imine fragments.In MnCo(CO)₆[diacetylbis(cyclopropylimine)] the DAB ligand is fluxional, and the changes in the spectra when recorded at various temperatures can be interpreted in terms of an exchange between the σ- and π-coordinated part of the DAB ligand.The homodinuclear M₂(CO)₆(DAB) complexes (M = Fe or Ru) contain M(CO)₃ fragments on which the carbonyl groups are involved in a local scrambling process with very different activation parameters (T_c = ?50°C and +85°C).MCo(CO)₆(DAB) complexes (M = Mn, Re), which contain a semi-bridging carbonyl group according to the crystal structure, show rapid interchange of this carbonyl group with the terminal carbonyl groups on cobalt. The electronic balance is kept in equilibrium by an internal compensation within the DAB ligand.     

Studies in negative ion mass spectrometry: XIV—Electron attachment reactions of a series of η6-arenetricarbonylchromium(O) complexes

Electron attachment reactions of a series of (η⁶-arene)tricarbonylchromium(O) complexes have been examined in the gas phase. The electron capture process has been shown to be influenced by the structure of the η⁶-arene ligand and its substituents. Whereas (η⁶-benzene)- and (η⁶-mesitylene)tricarbonylchromium(O) undergo dissocative electron capture, or reductive decarbonylation, yielding [M? CO]^?˙ ions of highest abundance in their negative ion mass spectra, [η⁶-(2,2-dimethylindan-1,3-dione)]tricarbonylchromium(O) forms a molecular negative ion which undergoes sequential CO eliminations and finally a demetallation to give the arene radical ion. A localization of charge on the coordinated arene ligand is proposed for the formation of [M]^?˙ in this case. (η⁶-Methylbenzoate)tricarbonylchromium(O) also forms a molecular negative ion by secondary electron attachment which decomposes by simultaneous and consecutive eliminations of up to four CO molecules. The elucidation of a mechanism and sequence for these CO eliminations has been achieved by synthesizing and examining the negative ion mass spectrum of [η⁶-(C₆H₅·¹³CO₂Me)]Cr(CO)₃. The first CO loss in the principal fragmentation pathway occurs solely from the –Cr(CO)₃ group of [M]^?˙. The effect of para substituent groups on the stabilities of molecular negative ions and their fragmentations has been ascertained using a series of para-substituted (η⁶-methylbenzoate)tricarbonylchromium(O) compounds containing the groups NH₂, OH, OCH₃, CL and COOMe. The stabilities of the [M]^?˙ ions have been rationalized in terms of the Hammett and Taft parameters σ_P, σ_I, σ_R^P, σ_P^O and σ_R^O. The overall electronic substituent effect transmitted to the carbonyl groups of the –Cr(CO)₃ unit involves both resonance and inductive components. In this series of compounds the stability of [M]^?˙ decreases as the electron withdrawing capacities of the para substituents increase.     

Low-temperature N-O bond cleavage of nitrogen monoxide in heterometallic carbonyl complexes. An experimental and theoretical study

The reaction of Na[RuCp(CO) 2] with [MnCp'(CO) 2(NO)]BF 4 gives the corresponding heterometallic derivative [MnRuCpCp'(mu-CO) 2(CO)(NO)] (Cp = eta (5)-C 5H 5; Cp' = eta (5)-C 5H 4Me). In contrast, the group 6 metal carbonyl anions [MCp(CO) 2L] (-) (M = Mo, W; L = CO, P(OMe) 3, PPh 3) react with the Mn and Re complexes [M'Cp'(CO) 2(NO)]BF 4 to give the heterometallic derivatives [MM'CpCp'(mu-N)(CO) 3L] having a nitride ligand linearly bridging the metal centers (W-N = 1.81(3) A, N-Re = 1.97(3) A, W-N-Re = 179(1) (o), in [WReCpCp'(mu-N)(CO) 3{P(OMe) 3}]). Density-functional theory calculations on the reactions of [WCp(CO) 3] (-) and [RuCp(CO) 2] (-) with [MnCp(CO) 2(NO)] (+) revealed a comparable qualitative behavior. Thus, two similar and thermodynamically allowed reaction pathways were found in each case, one implying the displacement of CO from the cation and formation of a metal-metal bond, the other implying the cleavage of the N-O bond of the nitrosyl ligand and release of a carbonyl from the anion as CO 2. The second pathway is more exoergonic and is initiated through an orbitally controlled attack of the anion on the N atom of the NO ligand in the cation. In contrast, the first pathway is initiated through a charge-controlled attack of the anion to the C atom of a CO ligand in the cation. The CO 2-elimination pathway requires at the intermediate stages a close approach of the NO and CO ligands, which is more difficult for the Ru compound because of its lower coordination number (compared to W). This effect, when combined with a stronger stabilization of the initial intermediate in the Ru reaction, makes the CO 2-elimination pathway slower in that case.     

A DFT study of the ambiphilic nature of arylpalladium species in intramolecular cyclization reactions

The remarkable structure-dependent reactivity observed in the cyclization of (2-haloanilino)-ketones with Pd-catalysts has been studied computationally within the density functional theory framework. The experimental reaction products ratio may be explained through the formation of a common palladaaminocyclobutane intermediate which can undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction and/or an enolate α-arilation process. The evolution of this metallacycle to the final products depends on two factors, the length of the tether joining the amino and the carbonyl groups, and the electronic nature of the substituent directly attached to the nitrogen atom. Thus, shorter chains (2 CH(2)) facilitate the nucleophic addition reaction by approximating the reactive aryl and Pd-coordinated carbonyl groups whereas longer chains (3 CH(2)) favor the enolate α-arylation proccess. For electron-withdrawing groups attached to the aniline nitrogen atom, the nucleophilic addition pathway becomes slightly disfavored, mainly due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the CO(2)Me group which avoids the delocation of the LP in the π-system, thus decreasing the nucleophilicity of the reactive arylic carbon atom. In contrast, the enolate α-arylation reaction is facilitated by the CO(2)Me group. This is translated into a small computed barrier energy difference of these competitive reaction pathways which should lead to a mixture of reaction products as experimentally found.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of ruthenium carboxylato and 2-oxocarboxylato complexes bearing the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato ligand

A series of ruthenium(II) acetonitrile, pyridine (py), carbonyl, SO2, and nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(L)(PPh3)] (L = NCMe, py, CO, SO2) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(L)(PPh3)]BF4 (L = NO) containing the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato (bdmpza) ligand, a N,N,O heteroscorpionate ligand, have been prepared. Starting from ruthenium chlorido, carboxylato, or 2-oxocarboxylato complexes, a variety of acetonitrile complexes [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(NCMe)(PPh3)] (4) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(NCMe)(PPh3)] (R = Me (5a), R = Ph (5b)), as well as the pyridine complexes [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(PPh3)(py)] (6) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(PPh3)(py)] (R = Me (7a), R = Ph (7b), R = (CO)Me (8a), R = (CO)Et (8b), R = (CO)Ph) (8c)), have been synthesized. Treatment of various carboxylato complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(PPh3)2] (R = Me (2a), Ph (2b)) with CO afforded carbonyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(CO)(PPh3)] (9a, 9b). In the same way, the corresponding sulfur dioxide complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10a) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b) were formed in a reaction of the carboxylato complexes with gaseous SO2. None of the 2-oxocarboxylato complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)R)(PPh3)2] (R = Me (3a), Et (3b), Ph (3c)) showed any reactivity toward CO or SO2, whereas the nitrosyl complex cations [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(NO)(PPh3)](+) (11) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)Ph)(NO)(PPh3)](+) (12) were formed in a reaction of the acetato 2a or the benzoylformato complex 3c with an excess of nitric oxide. Similar cationic carboxylato nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CR)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (R = Me (13a), R = Ph (13b)) and 2-oxocarboxylato nitrosyl complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)R)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (R = Me (14a), R = Et (14b), R = Ph (14c)) are also accessible via a reaction with NO[BF4]. X-ray crystal structures of the chlorido acetonitrile complex [Ru(bdmpza)Cl(NCMe)(PPh3)] (4), the pyridine complexes [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CMe)(PPh3)(py)] (7a) and [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CC(O)Et)(PPh3)(py)] (8b), the carbonyl complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(CO)(PPh3)] (9b), the sulfur dioxide complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b), as well as the nitrosyl complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2C(CO)Me)(NO)(PPh3)]BF4 (14a), are reported. The molecular structure of the sulfur dioxide complex [Ru(bdmpza)(O2CPh)(PPh3)(SO2)] (10b) revealed a rather unusual intramolecular SO2-O2CPh Lewis acid-base adduct.