Cerium(III/IV) Formamidinate Chemistry,and a Stable Cerium(IV) Diolate

Four new cerium(III) formamidinate complexes comprising [Ce(p‐TolForm)₃], [Ce(DFForm)₃(thf)₂], [Ce(DFForm)₃], and [Ce(EtForm)₃] were synthesized by protonolysis reactions using [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] and formamidines of varying functionality, namely N,N′‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)formamidine (p‐TolFormH), N,N′‐bis(2,6‐difluorophenyl)formamidine (DFFormH), and the sterically more demanding N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diethylphenyl)formamidine (EtFormH). The bimetallic cerium lithium complex [LiCe(DFForm)₄] was synthesized by treating a mixture of [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃(thf)₂] and [Li{N(SiHMe₂)₂}] with four equivalents of DFFormH in toluene. Oxidation of the trivalent cerium(III) formamidinate complexes by trityl chloride (Ph₃CCl) caused dramatic color changes, although the cerium(IV) species appeared transient and reformed cerium(III) complexes and N′‐trityl‐N,N′‐diarylformamidines shortly after oxidation. The first structurally characterized homoleptic cerium(IV) formamidinate complex [Ce(p‐TolForm)₄] was obtained through a protonolysis reaction between [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₄] and four equivalents of p‐TolFormH. [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₄] was also treated with DFFormH and EtFormH, but the resulting cerium(IV) complexes decomposed before isolation was possible. The new cerium(IV) silylamide complex [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃(bda)_0.5]₂ (bda=1,4‐benzenediolato) was synthesized by treatment of [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] with half an equivalent of 1,4‐benzoquinone, and showed remarkable resistance towards protonolysis or reduction.     

The Radical Cation of Cyclobutene and its Photoproduct. Preliminary communication

The hitherto unknown radical cation of cyclobutene ( 2 ) has been generated in a CFCl₃ matrix by γ rays at 77 K. The coupling constants, as determined from the ESR spectrum of 2 ⁺, are 2.80 and 1.11 mT for the four CH₂ and the two CH = protons, respectively. Photo-induced ring opening of 2 ⁺ yields a radical cation which exhibits the same ESR and ENDOR spectra as those observed upon direct ionization of s-trans-buta-1, 3-diene (s-trans -1 ). The radical cation s-trans -1 ⁺, should, therefore, be the final product of this conversion.     

Cerium(IV) Hexanuclear Clusters from Cerium(III) Precursors: Molecular Models for Oxidative Growth of Ceria Nanoparticles

Reactions of cerium(III) nitrate, Ce(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O, with different carboxylic acids, such as pivalic acid, benzoic acid, and 4‐methoxybenzoic acid, in the presence of a tridentate N,N,N‐donor ligand, diethylenetriamine (L¹), under aerobic conditions yielded the corresponding cerium hexamers Ce₆O₈(O₂CtBu)₈(L¹)₄ ( 1 ), Ce₆O₈(O₂CC₆H₅)₈(L¹)₄ ( 2 ), and Ce₆O₈(O₂CC₆H₄‐4‐OCH₃)₈(L¹)₄ ( 3 ). Hexamers 1 , 2 , and 3 contain the same octahedral Ce^IV₆O₈ core, in which all interstitial oxygen atoms are connected by μ₃‐oxo bridging ligands. In contrast, treatment of the Ce^IV precursor (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆ (CAN) with pivalic acid and the ligand L¹ under the same conditions afforded Ce₆O₄(OH)₄(O₂CtBu)₁₂(L¹)₂ ( 4 ), exhibiting a deformed octahedral Ce^IV₆O₄(OH)₄ core containing μ₃‐oxo and μ₃‐hydroxo moieties in defined positions. In contrast to the formation of 1 – 3 , the use of N‐methyldiethanolamine (L) in the reaction with Ce(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O and pivalic acid afforded a previously reported Ce^III dinuclear cluster, Ce₂(O₂CtBu)₆L₂, even in the presence of dioxygen. ESI‐MS analysis of the reaction mixture clearly indicated the importance of the ligand L¹ in promoting oxidation of the Ce^III aggregates, [Ce_n(O₂CtBu)_3n(L¹)₂], which is necessary for the formation of Ce^IV hexamers.     

Cerium(III/IV) and Cerium(IV)–Titanium(IV) Citric Complexes Prepared in Ethylene Glycol Medium

Cerium(III/IV) and Ce(IV)–Ti(IV) citric complexes were synthesized in ethylene glycol medium under conditions similar to those of the polymerized complex method (PCM). Solution phase ¹H, ¹³C NMR, solid state ¹³C CP MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to characterize the composition and structure of the synthesized products. Thermal decomposition of the isolated complexes was studied and a scheme of the processes taking place is proposed. Complexes of Ce(III) can be prepared at low temperature (40°C), only. In the presence of Ti(IV) ions, the oxidation takes place even at this temperature. A mixed-metal nature of the Ce(IV)–Ti(IV) complexes is established. The comparison between their composition and the one of analogous lanthanide(III)–Ti(IV) citrates contributes to the elucidation of the complexation process mechanism in the case of the PCM application. The increased charge of the complexation agent in the Ce⁴⁺–Ti⁴⁺ complex (in comparison with Ln ³⁺–Ti⁴⁺ citrates) is “compensated” by the increase of the relative number of the ligands with deprotonated OH group.     

Cerium(III/IV) and Cerium(IV)–Titanium(IV) Citric Complexes Prepared in Ethylene Glycol Medium

Summary. Cerium(III/IV) and Ce(IV)–Ti(IV) citric complexes were synthesized in ethylene glycol medium under conditions similar to those of the polymerized complex method (PCM). Solution phase ¹H, ¹³C NMR, solid state ¹³C CP MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to characterize the composition and structure of the synthesized products. Thermal decomposition of the isolated complexes was studied and a scheme of the processes taking place is proposed. Complexes of Ce(III) can be prepared at low temperature (40°C), only. In the presence of Ti(IV) ions, the oxidation takes place even at this temperature. A mixed-metal nature of the Ce(IV)–Ti(IV) complexes is established. The comparison between their composition and the one of analogous lanthanide(III)–Ti(IV) citrates contributes to the elucidation of the complexation process mechanism in the case of the PCM application. The increased charge of the complexation agent in the Ce⁴⁺–Ti⁴⁺ complex (in comparison with Ln ³⁺–Ti⁴⁺ citrates) is “compensated” by the increase of the relative number of the ligands with deprotonated OH group.     

Evidence for a synfacial nucleophilic displacement with allylic rearrangement. Mechanistic conclusions. Preliminary communication

Reduction of exo-2-methyl-3, 4-dichlorobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene and the exo-2-phenyl-3,4-dibromo analogue with lithium aluminium hydride proceeds mainly with allylic rearrangement. Moreover, hydride enters and bromide leaves synfacially. The stereochemistry of the process is discussed in the light of the favourable energy of a quasi-cyclic transition state in which reagent and halide are complexed.     

Kinetic Spectrofluorometric Determination of Thioctic Acid in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Preparations via its Oxidation with Cerium(IV)

A highly simple and sensitive kinetic spectrofluorometric method was developed for the determination of thioctic acid. The method is based on the oxidation of the studied drug with cerium(IV) ammonium sulfate in acidic medium. The fluorescence of the produced Ce(III) was measured at 365 nm after excitation at 255 nm. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the reaction product were carefully studied and optimized. The method is applicable over the concentration range of 0.02 to 0.12 μg/mL with a detection limit of 6.06 × 10^?3 μg/mL and a quantification limit of 0.02 μg/mL. The method was successfully applied for the assay of the studied drug in pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained with the reference method.     

Determination of thiourea and some of its organic derivatives with sodium vanadate, hexacyanoferrate(III), Cerium(IV) sulphate, manganese(III) and manganese(IV)

The determination of thiourea and some of its organic derivatives with sodium vanadate, hexacyanoferrate(III), cerium(IV) sulphate, manganese(III) and manganese(IV) is described. A mixture of iodate and iodide is used as catalyst. Ferroin, N-phenylanthranilic acid and p-ethoxychrysoidine can be used as indicators.     

Cerium (IV) oxidation rate of p-chloromandelic acid in perchlorate and sulfate media

The rate of the cerium (IV) oxidation of p-chloromandelic acid has been studied in perchlorate media at an ionic strength of 1.50 mol/dm³ by the stopped-flow technique and in H₂SO₄? MHSO₄ (M⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and H₂SO₄? MClO₄ (M⁺ = H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺) mixtures at constant total electrolyte concentrations of 1.00 and 2.00 mol/dm³ using the conventional spectrophotometric method. In perchlorate media the kinetic data indicate the formation of two intermediate complexes between cerium (IV) and the organic substrate, but only one is significantly involved in the intramolecular electron-transfer process. The oxidation rate is markedly lower in sulfate media, where two reaction paths have been found to contribute to the overall redox reaction. The univalent cations examined exhibit negative specific effects upon the overall oxidation rate increasing in the order H⁺ < Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. Activation parameters have been also estimated.     

Electrophilic Reaction of Phenyl Bis(Phenylthio) Sulfonium Cation as an Active Species for the Oxidative Polymerization of Diphenyl Disulfide

Computer modeling predicts that the methyl bis(methylthio) sulfonium cation can act as an efficient electrophile for sulfide bond formation in which the sulfur atoms at the side position of the cation react with the phenyl ring of an aromatic molecule. The electrophilic reaction mechanism of phenyl bis-(phenylthio) sulfonium cation with anisole was examined using computer simulation. The reaction between phenyl bis- (phenylthio) sulfonium cation, which is a homogeneous structure of thecation, and anisole shows the efficient formation of 4-phenylthioanisole with diphenyl disulfide as a by-product. In the oxidative polymerization of diphenyl disulfide, the formation process of polyp-phenylene sulfide) includes an elementary reaction between the phenylthio group at each side position of the phenyl bis(phenylthio) sulfonium cation and the carbon at the para position of the phenyl ring.