Zintl ions, cage compounds, and intermetalloid clusters of Group 14 and Group 15 elements

For a long time, Zintl ions of Group 14 and 15 elements were considered to be remarkable species domiciled in solid-state chemistry that have unexpected stoichiometries and fascinating structures, but were of limited relevance. The revival of Zintl ions was heralded by the observation that these species, preformed in solid-state Zintl phases, can be extracted from the lattice of the solids and dissolved in appropriate solvents, and thus become available as reactants and building blocks in solution chemistry. The recent upsurge of research activity in this fast-growing field has now provided a rich plethora of new compounds, for example by substitution of these Zintl ions with organic groups and organometallic fragments, by oxidative coupling reactions leading to dimers, oligomers, or polymers, or by the inclusion of metal atoms under formation of endohedral cluster species and intermetalloid compounds; some of these species have good prospects in applications in materials science. This Review presents the enormous progress that has been made in Zintl ion chemistry with an emphasis on syntheses, properties, structures, and theoretical treatments.     

DFT Study of the Mechanism and Regioselectivity of 1,3-Pentadiene with Methyl Acrylate Using Theoretical Approaches

<正>Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to study regioselectivity in the Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction between 1,3-pentadiene and methyl acrylate. The DFT calculations were performed with the B3LYP functional and 6-311+G~(**) basis set. Two synchronous transition structures corresponding to the formation of different regioisomers associated with the two reaction channels have been located. The DFT calculations generated transition geometries with a very small degree of asynchronicity. The present analysis shows that these reactions have normal electron demand (NED) character. Moreover, the results obtained from energetic and electronic approaches with the exception of Houk's rule confirm that ortho regioisomer is the major product.     

A quantum chemical study of tricyclo[3.2.0.0]heptane: a new hypothetical molecule with unusual spatial structure. Similarities and differences with syn- and anti-tricyclo[3.2.0.0]heptanes

HF and MP2 calculations with the 6-31G^∗∗ and 6-311G^∗∗ basis sets for the titled molecules and those at MP2/cc-pVTZ level for the hypothetical tricyclo[3.2.0.0^1,3]heptane indicate that the latter molecule should have a carbon atom with highly unusual configuration strongly departing from the tetrahedral one. Both analysis of vibrational frequencies of this molecules and comparison of its energy with those of known isomeric syn- and anti- tricyclo[3.2.0.0^2,4]heptanes as well as the DFT analysis of its plausible decomposition routes performed at the DFT level indicate that it could be a plausible synthetic target.     

Ab Initio Study and Its Comparison with X-ray Crystal Structure of 4-[1-(4-Chloro-phenylamino)-ethyl] 5-methyl-2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolyl-2,4-dihydro-pyrazol-3-one

The ab initio calculation of the title compound was carried out at HF as well as DFT level of theory. The full geometry optimization of the ligand was carried out using 6-31G(d) basis set. The results obtained were correlated with the single crystal X-ray data, also reported in this paper, shows close resemblance between these two. The influence of electron correlation effects also was studied by carrying out geometry optimization at the MP2 level. The attempts were also made to ascertain the most stable tautomer of the said compound.     

The clusters [Ma(ECp*)b] (M=Pd, Pt; E=Al, Ga, In): structures, fluxionality, and ligand exchange reactions

The synthesis and structural characterization of the novel homoleptic cluster complexes [Pd2(GaCp*)2(mu2-GaCp*)3] (1c), [Pd3(GaCp*)4(mu2-GaCp*)4] (2b) and [Pd3(AlCp*)2(mu2-AlCp*)2(mu3-AlCp*)2] (3) (Cp*=C5Me5) are presented. Furthermore, ligand exchange reactions of these cluster complexes are explored. In contrast to the electronically and sterically saturated complexes [M(ECp*)4] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt), the new unsaturated analogues [M(a)(ER)b] (E=Al, Ga, In) react with a variety of typical ligands (Cp*Al, CO, phosphines, isonitriles) to give new di- and tri-substituted compounds like [Pt2(GaCp*)2(mu2-AlCp*)3] (1d), [PdPt(GaCp*)(PPh3)(mu2-GaCp*)3] (4b), or [Pd3(PPh3)3(mu2-InCp*)(mu3-InCp*)2] (8). The trends of the reactivity of [M(a)(ER)b] as well as their fluxional behavior in solution has been elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, resulting in a mechanistic rationale for the ligand exchange reactions as well as the fluxional processes.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of new naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,4-c]quinazoline derivatives

A new highly functionalized aminonaphthol derivative, 1-(amino(2-aminophenyl)methyl)-2-naphthol (4), was synthesized by the reaction of 2-naphthol, 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and tert-butyl carbamate or benzyl carbamate, followed by reduction and/or removal of the protecting group. The aminonaphthol derivative thus obtained was converted in ring-closure reactions with formaldehyde, benzaldehyde and/or phosgene to the corresponding naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,4-c]quinazoline derivatives. The conformational analysis of some derivatives by NMR spectroscopy and accompanying molecular modelling are also reported.     

Synthesis, single crystal X-ray structure and optical properties of 3,4-dimethyl-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene-7,7-dioxide

The synthesis of the title compound (4), starting from commercial 3-bromo-4-methylthiophene, is described. The single crystal packing mode of 4, as well as the absorption and photoluminescence properties in solution and in the solid state are reported and analyzed in relation to those of the isomeric 3,5-dimethyl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene-4,4-dioxide (7). The different reactivities of 4 and 7 towards bromination are analyzed in the light of the results of ab initio B3LYP/6-31G^∗ calculations on both compounds.     

Strain in nonclassical silicon hydrides: An insight into the “ultrastability” of sila‐bi[6]prismane (Si18H12) cluster with the endohedrally trapped silicon atom,Si19H12

The recently postulated concept of “ultrastability” and “electron‐deficient aromaticity” (Vach, Nano Lett 2011, 11, 5477; Vach, J Chem Theory Comput 2012, 8, 2088) in a sila‐bi[6]prismane having an additional entrapped silicon atom, Si₁₉H₁₂, has been disproved on the basis of a careful analysis of the energetic characteristics related to the formation of this and other silicon hydrides. The central silicon atom in Si₁₉H₁₂ is weaker bound to other silicon atoms than in conventional tetrahedral silanes; moreover, Si₁₉H₁₂ possesses a significant amount of strain. The role of strain in the formation of the title compounds has been further rationalized by calculating the relative energies for the transformation to a half‐planar conformation in methane and in silane and by calculating the respective strain energies. The strain energy value in Si₁₈H₁₂ is equal to 9.93 eV whereas the same property for Si₁₉H₁₂ lies in range of 6.42–8.85 eV. Two low‐energy isomers of Si₁₉H₁₂ which lie by 2.77 and 3.42 eV (!) lower in energy than the originally considered sila‐bi[6]prismane‐based structure have been proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Structures of three substituted pentacyclo[5.4.0.02, 6.03, 10.05, 9]undecanes and a computational analysis of bond lengths

5-Methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0^{2, 6}.0^{3, 10}.0^{5, 9}]undecane-8, 11-dione,5-methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo [5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8-one-11-ol,and 5-methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8,11-diol are three cage compounds which differ only in the oxidation state at C(8) and C(11). The three compounds contain a four-membered, a six-membered, and four five-membered rings fused into a cagelike structure. An X-ray structure analysis shows the C(1)-C(7) and C(9)-C(10) bonds in the diketo cage to be 1.606(2) and 1.586(2) Å, which are significantly longer than in the other two molecules. In order to assess the effects of strain, steric, and electronic factors in these compounds, we investigated the unsubstituted parent cage compounds and a series of derivatives by molecular mechanics (MM3), AMPAC (AM1), MOPAC (PM3), and GAUSSIAN 90 calculations. These data suggest that dipolar through space interactions are responsible for the bond elongation and not a _– ^* interaction, which has been postulated in parallel-systems originating from a common bond. A small degree of _– ^* through-bond interaction may contribute to the lengthening in the dimethylene cage analogues.     

NMR 3J(C1,H3) couplings in 1‐X‐bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes. FPT–DFT and NBO studies of hyperconjugative interactions and heavy atom substituent effects

In this work a rationalization of the very large substituent effects on ³J(C₁,H₃) couplings in 1‐X‐bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes is presented. The Fermi contact contribution to such couplings was calculated in a series of 13 X‐derivatives within the DFT–B3LYP framework using the finite perturbation theory. Core electrons for atoms beyond the Second Row were taken into account using effective core potentials. Calculated couplings are in very good agreement with experimental values. The role played by hyperconjugative interactions involving bonds or antibonds belonging to the coupling pathway are studied using the NBO approach. Heavy atom contribution to substituent effects on ³J(C₁,H₃) couplings was estimated as small. This contrasts notably with trends observed in the corresponding ¹³C substituent chemical shifts, SCSs. The latter were estimated comparing for X=Cl, Br, I, SnMe₃, calculated SCSs with their experimental values. Such estimations are in line with explicit calculations of the spin‐orbit contribution reported in the literature for smaller compounds. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1615–1621, 2001     

Vibrational Spectra and Molecular Vibrational Behaviors of All-Carboatomic Rings,cyclo[18]carbon and Its Analogues

The vibrational spectra of cyclo[18]carbon and its analogues, cyclo[2n]carbon (n=3 to 15), were carefully simulated and characterized. The in-plane C−C stretching vibrations shows strong rigidity, while out-of-plane motions seem to be extremely flexible. The solvation effect can enhance signal strengths of the vibrational spectra, but does not evidently change the shape of the spectral curves. The infrared and Raman spectra of cyclo[2n]carbons are quite sensitive to ring size in the range of n=3 to 7, while the size only modestly affects peak positions and strengths for larger rings. Molecular dynamic trajectories show that the fluctuation period of the skeleton of cyclo[18]carbon is basically constant at different temperatures, and they are all about 300 fs. With increase of simulation temperature, the ring distortion due to thermal motion is notable and becomes much stronger. However, neither ring breaking nor isomerization in cyclo[18]carbon is observed during the simulations untill 298.15 K.     

Dibenzo[b, e]-7,7,8,8-tetraneopentyl- and dibenzo[b, e]-7,7,8,8-tetraisopropyl-7,8-disilabicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-dienes: interaction with tetracyanoethylene and transition metal chlorides

Dibenzo[b,e]-7,7,8,8-tetraalkyl-7,8-disilabicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-dienes (1: R = ^tBuCH₂; 2: R = ⁱPr) were prepared by the reaction of ClR₂SiSiR₂Cl with lithium anthracenide in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) at room temperature. The structure of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, rC2/c, A = 12.941(2), B = 14.601(1), C = 35.109(6) Å, β = 94.957(7)°, V = 6609(2) ų, Z= 8, R = 0.048, R_w = 0.053 for 4037 reflections. Compounds 1 and 2 show the bathochromic shift of ¹L_a and ¹L_b bands in UV spectra and exhibit considerably low oxidation potentials due to effective σ-π conjugation. Compounds 1 and 2 form charge-transfer complexes with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). In the case of 1, the charge-transfer complex (1: TCNE = 2: 1) could be isolated as crystals and the structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for the 1-TCNE complex: monoclinic, C2/c, A= 10.267(2), b = 36.077(4), C = 20.022(4) Å, β = 100.680(8)°, V = 7288(2) ų, Z = 4, R = 0.045, R_w = 0.077 for 4120 reflections. The action of transition metal chlorides on 2 resulted in [4+2] cycloreversion to form ClⁱPr₂SiSiⁱPr₂Cl and anthracene.     

Syntheses of spiro[cyclopropane-1,3′-oxindole]-2-carboxylic acid and cyclopropa[c]quinoline-7b-carboxylic acid and their derivatives

The synthesis of spiro[cyclopropane-1,3′-oxindole]-2-carboxylic acid, including novel 3-(2- and 3-pyridyl)-substituted analogues and the novel cyclopropa[c]quinoline-7b-carboxylic acid and their ester and amide derivatives is described. These syntheses involve diastereoselective cyclopropanation reactions of methyl 2-(2-nitrophenyl)acrylate and (3E)-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)- and (3E)-(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one with ethyl (dimethyl sulfuranylidene) acetate (EDSA). The synthesis of methyl cyclopropa[c]quinoline-7b-carboxylate involves a regioselective reductive cyclization of a nitro-diester precursor. The relative stereochemistry of key compounds has been determined by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.     

Peculiar basis set dependence of the energetics of C2S2H2 isomers. In search of adequate and affordable basis set for routine calculations

Quantum mechanical calculations using the Hartree-Fock (HF), post-Hartree-Fock {MP2 and CCSD(T)}and gradient-corrected hybrid density functional variant, B3LYP methodology in conjugation with basis sets like 6-31G*, 6-311G** and cc-pVTZ, were employed to critically probe the right quality of basis set and the appropriate level of theory that can be applied in modeling the organo-sulfur compounds. The relative stability ordering of 1,2-dithiete and dithioglyoxal reveal the delicate basis set dependence especially on ‘S’ atom. Single point calculations at the B3LYP, MP2 and CCSD(T) levels using a series of basis set ranging from double ζ quality all the way up to the quintuple ζ quality were done to illustrate the effect of electron correlation and the basis set dependency for these compounds. Basis set requirements are much higher than affordable for medium sized molecules as very slow convergence is seen even when the calculations are carried out with basis set as high as cc-pV5Z at the B3LYP and MP2 level of theories.     

Fast ring opening of unstable mesoionic 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates to acyloxyketenes: formation of [2+2] cycloadducts of acyloxyketene with several ketenophiles

Fast ring opening of mesoionic 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olate 5, generated by Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of a phenyldiazoacetic anhydride 6, to an acyloxyketene 10 was demonstrated by trapping the ketene 10. Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of p-nitrophenyldiazoacetic p-chlorobenzoic anhydride 6a in the presence of ketenophiles such as dihydrofuran, carbodiimides, and imines did not give 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts with the 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates 5a, but their [2+2]-cycloadducts with the acyloxyketene 10a. PM3 calculation of heats of formation of a 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olate 5 and an acyloxyketene 10 indicates that the acyloxyketene 10 is 9 kcal/mol more stable than the 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates 5.