N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds in Complexes of N-Haloimides and Pyridine-N-oxides: A Large Data Set Study

N−X⋅⋅⋅⁻O−N⁺ halogen-bonded systems formed by 27 pyridine N-oxides (PyNOs) as halogen-bond (XB) acceptors and two N-halosuccinimides, two N-halophthalimides, and two N-halosaccharins as XB donors are studied in silico, in solution, and in the solid state. This large set of data (132 DFT optimized structures, 75 crystal structures, and 168 ¹H NMR titrations) provides a unique view to structural and bonding properties. In the computational part, a simple electrostatic model (SiElMo) for predicting XB energies using only the properties of halogen donors and oxygen acceptors is developed. The SiElMo energies are in perfect accord with energies calculated from XB complexes optimized with two high-level DFT approaches. Data from in silico bond energies and single-crystal X-ray structures correlate; however, data from solution do not. The polydentate bonding characteristic of the PyNOs’ oxygen atom in solution, as revealed by solid-state structures, is attributed to the lack of correlation between DFT/solid-state and solution data. XB strength is only slightly affected by the PyNO oxygen properties [(atomic charge (Q), ionization energy (I_s,min) and local negative minima (V_s,min)], as the σ-hole (V_s,max) of the donor halogen is the key determinant leading to the sequence N-halosaccharin>N-halosuccinimide>N-halophthalimide on the XB strength.     

Substituent Effects on Hyperfine Coupling Constants Analyzed in Terms of π-Bound Electron Perturbation Theory

Substituent effects on the hyperfine interaction (hfi) constants of hydrocarbon, quinone, aza-, and hydroazaaromatic radicals are analyzed in terms of -bound electron perturbation theory. For odd alternant radicals, substituent effects are described in terms of second-order perturbation theory using a quadratic dependence on the constants of the substituents. The results of the calculation agree well with the available experimental data.     

Synthesis of Dinuclear Mo−Fe Hydride Complexes and Catalytic Silylation of N2

Two transition-metal atoms bridged by hydrides may represent a useful structural motif for N₂ activation by molecular complexes and the enzyme active site. In this study, dinuclear Mo^IV-Fe^II complexes with bridging hydrides, Cp^RMo(PMe₃)(H)(μ-H)₃FeCp* ( 2 a ; Cp^R=Cp*=C₅Me₅, 2 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H), were synthesized via deprotonation of Cp^RMo(PMe₃)H₅ ( 1 a ; Cp^R=Cp*, 1 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H) by Cp*FeN(SiMe₃)₂, and they were characterized by spectroscopy and crystallography. These Mo−Fe complexes reveal the shortest Mo−Fe distances ever reported (2.4005(3) Å for 2 a and 2.3952(3) Å for 2 b ), and the Mo−Fe interactions were analyzed by computational studies. Removal of the terminal Mo−H hydride in 2 a – 2 b by [Ph₃C]⁺ in THF led to the formation of cationic THF adducts [Cp^RMo(PMe₃)(THF)(μ-H)₃FeCp*]⁺ ( 3 a ; Cp^R=Cp*, 3 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H). Further reaction of 3 a with LiPPh₂ gave rise to a phosphido-bridged complex Cp*Mo(PMe₃)(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)FeCp* ( 4 ). A series of Mo−Fe complexes were subjected to catalytic silylation of N₂ in the presence of Na and Me₃SiCl, furnishing up to 129±20 equiv of N(SiMe₃)₃ per molecule of 2 b . Mechanism of the catalytic cycle was analyzed by DFT calculations.     

α- and β-Eliminations in Transition Metal Complexes: Strategies to Cleave Unstrained C−C and C−F Bonds

Oxidative addition is the standard process for single-bond activation in transition metal catalysis and it is known to operate for many types of bonds, but challenging σ-bonds e. g. C(sp³)−F and C(sp³)−C(sp³) bonds are the exceptions in this respect. This short review aims at demonstrating how both α- and β-eliminations may be better options for activation of unstrained C−F and C−C single bonds. Selected examples of such eliminations are presented with a mechanistic focus indicating how unstrained and unactivated C−C and C−F bonds can be broken by employing α- and β-eliminations in transition metal hydrocarbyl ligands. Our examples show that the reaction barrier in β-eliminations is controlled by the s-character of the participating bonds where a higher s-character gives a better overlap in the multi-center transition state thereby increasing the reactivity; still β-aryl eliminations can compete with the classical β-hydrogen eliminations in certain cases.     

Partial Methane Oxidation to Methanol on Ru-Porphyrins – on the Role of Non-Innocent Ligands and Spin Crossover

The partial oxidation reaction of CH₄ led to the formation of CH₃OH in the presence of Ru-porphyrin oxo complexes (denoted as POR, POR-O and POR-OH where in the case of the last two, oxygen atom and the OH group were attached to the active site, respectively), in which Ru was present on different oxidation states. The simulations were performed based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) with extended geometric and electronic structure analyses of each reaction step. Moreover, the reaction pathways were investigated in different spin states. The Spin Crossover (SCO) phenomenon was found to play an important role in the kinetics of the reaction in the presence of POR and POR-O. Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity (HOMA) index was applied for different spin states to estimate the aromaticity changes of the pyrrole rings in the Ru-porphyrin complexes. In order to characterize the nature of bonding, the Natural Bond Orbitals (NBO) analysis including the Wiberg Bond Index (WBI) and Natural Population Analysis (NPA) was carried out. Finally, the Non-Covalent Interactions (NCI) index was employed to gain insight into interactions between the components of the reaction. It was found that the non-covalent interactions cannot be neglected in the studied reaction paths.     

The strength of the σ-, π- and δ-bonds in Re2Cl 8 2−

The geometry of Re₂Cl₈²⁻ has been optimized for the eclipsed (D _4h ) equilibrium conformation and for the staggered (D _4d ) conformation at BP86/TZ2P. The nature of the Re–Re bond which has a formal bond order four has been studied with an energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The EDA investigation indicates that the contribution of the b ₂ (δ _xy ) orbitals to the Re–Re bond in the ground state is negligibly small. The vertical excitation of one and two electrons from the bonding δ orbital into the antibonding δ* orbitals yielding the singly and doubly excited states and gives a destabilization of 17.5 and 36.1 kcal/mol, respectively, which is nearly the same as the total excitation energies. The preference for the D _4h geometry with eclipsing Re–Cl bonds is explained in terms of hyperconjugation rather than δ bonding. This is supported by the calculation of the triply bonded Re₂Cl₈ which also has an eclipsed energy minimum structure. The calculations also suggest that the Re–Re triple bond in Re₂Cl₈ is stronger than the Re–Re quadruple bond in Re₂Cl₈²⁻. A negligible contribution of the δ orbital to the metal–metal bond strength is also calculated for Os₂Cl₈ which is isoelectronic with Re₂Cl₈²⁻. Contribution of the Mark S. Gordon 65th Birthday Festschrift Issue. Theoretical Studies of Inorganic Compounds. 38. Part 37 (2006) Bessac F, Frenking G, Inorg Chem 45:6956.     

Bonding Situation of σ-E−H Complexes in Transition Metal and Main Group Compounds

The ambiguous bonding situation of σ-E−H (E=Si, B) complexes in transition metal compounds has been rationalized by means of Density Functional Theory calculations. To this end, the combination of the Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) method and its Natural Orbital for Chemical Valance (NOCV) extension has been applied to representative complexes described in the literature where the possible η¹ versus η² coordination mode is not unambiguously defined. Our quantitative analyses, which complement previous data based on the application of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) approach, indicate that there exists a continuum between genuine η¹ and η² modes depending mainly on the strength of the backdonation. Finally, we also applied this EDA-NOCV approach to related main-group species where the backdonation is minimal.     

From Very Strong to Inexistent Be−Be Bonds in the Interactions of Be2 with π-Systems

Isolated Be₂ is a typical example of a weakly bound system, but interaction with other systems may give rise to surprising bonding features. The interactions between Be₂ and a set of selected neutral C_nH_n (n=2–8) π-systems have been analyzed through the use of G4 and G4MP2 ab initio methods, along with multireference CASPT2//CASPT2 calculations. Our results systematically show that the C_nH_n−Be₂−C_nH_n clusters formed are always very stable. However, the nature of this interaction is completely different when the π-system involved is a closed shell species (n=2, 4, 6, 8), or a radical (n=3, 5, 7). In the first case, the interaction does not occur with the π-system as a whole, but with specific C centers yielding rather polar but strong C−Be bonds. Nonetheless, although the Be−Be distances in these complexes are similar to the ones in compounds with ultra-strong Be−Be bonds, a close examination of their electron density distribution reveals that no Be−Be bonds exist. The situation is totally different when the interaction involves two π-radicals, C_nH_n−Be₂−C_nH_n (n=3, 5, 7). In these cases, a strong Be−Be bond is formed. Indeed, even though Be is electron deficient, the Be₂ moiety behaves as an efficient electron donor towards the two π-radicals, so that the different C_nH_n−Be₂−C_nH_n (n=3, 5, 7) clusters are the result of the interaction between Be₂²⁺ and two L⁻ anions. The characteristics of these two scenarios do not change when dealing with bicyclic π-compounds, such as naphthalene and pentalene, because the interaction with the Be₂ moiety is localized on one of the unsaturated cycles, the other being almost a spectator.     

Complexation of monosubstituted benzenes and methanes by cyclotetrachromotropylene in aqueous solution: Substituent effects on π-π and Ch-π interactions

The stability constantsK of 11 complexes formed in aqueous solution between several monosubstituted benzenes (C₆H₅X) and methanes (CH₃X) as guests and cyclotetrachromotropylene as host were determined by proton NMR spectroscopy. Variations ofK with the substituent X are attributed to the electronic effect of X and the presence of C–H or aromatic bonds, if any, interacting with the host bonds.     

Substituent Effects in π-Hole Regium Bonding Interactions Between Au(p-X-Py)2 Complexes and Lewis Bases: An ab initio Study

Long range substituent effects in regium bonding interactions involving Au(I) linear complexes are investigated for the first time. The Au(I) atom is coordinated to two para-substituted pyridine ligands. The interaction energy (RI-MP2/def2-TZVP level of theory) of the π-hole regium bonding assemblies is affected by the pyridine substitution. The Hammett's plot representations for several sets of Lewis bases have been carried out and, in all cases, good regression plots have been obtained (interaction energies vs. Hammett's σ parameter). The Bader's theory of “atoms-in-molecules” has been used to evidence that the electron density computed at the bond critical point that connects the Au-atom to the electron donor can be used as a measure of bond order in regium bonding. Several X-ray structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) provide experimental support to the existence of π-hole regium bonding in [Au(Py)₂]⁺ derivatives.     

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of cimetidine drug with biologically significant σ- and π-acceptors

Spectroscopic studies revealed that the interaction of cimetidine drug with electron acceptors iodine and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) resulted through the initial formation of ionic intermediate to charge transfer (CT) complex. The CT-complexes of the interactions have been characterized using UV–vis, ¹H NMR, FT-IR and GC–MS techniques. The formation of triiodide ion, I₃^?, is further confirmed by the observation of the characteristic bands in the far IR spectrum for non-linear I₃^? ion with C_s symmetry at 156 and 131 cm^?1 assigned to ν_as(I–I) and ν_s(I–I) of the I–I bond and at 73 cm^?1 due to bending δ(I₃^?). The rate of formation of the CT-complexes has been measured and discussed as a function of relative permittivity of solvent and temperature. The influence of relative permittivity of the medium on the rate indicated that the intermediate is more polar than the reactants and this observation was further supported by spectral studies. Based on the spectroscopic results plausible mechanisms for the interaction of the drug with the chosen acceptors were proposed and discussed and the point of attachment of the multifunctional cimetidine drug with these acceptors during the formation of CT-complex has been established.     

Utility of certain σ- and π-acceptors for the spectrophotometric determination of ganciclovir in pharmaceutical formulations

Studies were carried out, for the first time, to investigate the charge-transfer reactions of ganciclovir as n-electron donor with the σ-acceptor iodine and various π-acceptors: 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane; tetracyanoethylene; 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone; p-chloranilic acid; 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo-1,4-benzoquinone; 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone. The formation of the colored charge-transfer complexes was utilized in the development of simple, rapid and accurate spectrophotometric methods for the analysis of ganciclovir in pure form as well as in its pharmaceutical formulation (capsules). Different variables affecting the reactions were studied and optimized. Under the optimum reaction conditions, linear relationships with good correlation coefficients (0.9993-0.9998) were found between the absorbance and the concentration of ganciclovir in the range of 2.0-240 μg mL⁻¹. For more accurate analysis, Ringbom optimum concentration range was found to be between 5.0 and 225 μg mL⁻¹. The limits of detection ranged from 0.36 to 2.45 μg mL⁻¹ and the limits of quantification ranged from 1.20 to 8.17 μg mL⁻¹. A Job's plot of the absorbance versus the molar ratio of ganciclovir to each of acceptors under consideration indicated (1:1) ratio. The proposed methods were applied successfully for simultaneous determination of ganciclovir in capsules with good accuracy and precision and without interferences from common additives. The recovery percentages ranged from 99.45 ± 0.73% to 100.35 ± 1.40%. The results were compared favourably with the reported method.     

DFT and IsoStar Analyses to Assess the Utility of σ- and π-Hole Interactions for Crystal Engineering

The interpretation of 36 charge neutral ‘contact pairs’ from the IsoStar database was supported by DFT calculations of model molecules 1 – 12 , and bimolecular adducts thereof. The ‘central groups’ are σ-hole donors (H₂O and aromatic C−I), π-hole donors (R−C(O)Me, R−NO₂ and R−C₆F₅) and for comparison R−C₆H₅ (R=any group or atom). The ‘contact groups’ are hydrogen bond donors X−H (X=N, O, S, or R₂C, or R₃C) and lone-pair containing fragments (R₃C−F, R−C≡N and R₂C=O). Nearly all the IsoStar distributions follow expectations based on the electrostatic potential of the ‘central-’ and ‘contact group’. Interaction energies (ΔE^BSSE) are dominated by electrostatics (particularly between two polarized molecules) or dispersion (especially in case of large contact area). Orbital interactions never dominate, but could be significant (∼30 %) and of the n/π→σ*/π* kind. The largest degree of directionality in the IsoStar plots was typically observed for adducts more stable than ΔE^BSSE≈−4 kcal⋅mol⁻¹, which can be seen as a benchmark-value for the utility of an interaction in crystal engineering. This benchmark could be met with all the σ- and π-hole donors studied.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies on charge-transfer molecular complexes formed in the reaction of imidazole and 1-benzylimidazole with σ- and π-acceptors

The spectrophotometric characteristics of the solid charge-transfer molecular complexes (CT) formed in the reaction of the electron donors imidazole (IML) and 1-benzylimidazole (BIML) with the σ-acceptor iodine and π-acceptors 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (CHL) have been studied in chloroform at 25 °C. These were investigated through electronic and infrared spectra as well as elemental analysis. The results show that the formed solid CT-complexes have the formulas [(IML)2 I]I3, [(IML)(DDQ)], [(IML)2(TCNE)5] and [(IML)(CHL)] for imidazole and [(BIML) I]I3, [(BIML)(DDQ)2], [(BIML)(TCNE)2] and [(BIML)(CHL)2] for 1-benzylimidazole in full agreement with the known reaction stoichiometries in solution as well as the elemental measurements. The formation constant KCT, molar extinction coefficient ?CT, free energy change ΔG0, CT energy ECT and ionization potential Ip have been calculated for the CT-complexes [(IML)2 I]I3, [(IML)(DDQ)], [(IML)(CHL)], [(BIML) I]I3, [(BIML)(DDQ)2], [(BIML)(TCNE)2] and [(BIML)(CHL)2].     

Activation and Deactivation of Benzylic C−H Bonds Guided by Stereoelectronic Effects in Hydrogen Atom Transfer from Amides and Amines to Alkoxyl Radicals

Kinetic and product studies on the reactions of tert-alkoxyl radicals with secondary and tertiary alkanamides bearing benzylic α-C−H bonds, isoindoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline and the corresponding N-acetyl derivatives were carried out. Product studies on the reactions with the tert-butoxyl radical (tBuO⋅) point toward exclusive HAT from the benzylic α-C−H bonds. Comparison of the k_H values measured for reaction with the cumyloxyl radical (CumO⋅) with those obtained previously for the corresponding reactions of N-alkyl- and N,N-dialkylalkanamides, are indicative of a lack of benzylic activation and the operation of steric and stereoelectronic effects. Compared to N-methyl and N-ethyl groups, the presence of N-benzyl groups increases the barrier required to reach the optimal conformation for HAT, where the α-C−H bond to be cleaved is perpendicular to the plane of the amide, precluding concurrent overlap with the phenyl π-system. When the benzylic α-C−H bonds are in a conformation that allows for optimal overlap with both the phenyl π-system and the amide π-system or amine nitrogen lone pair, as in the isoindoline and tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, increases in k_H that exceed 2-orders of magnitude were observed, highlighting the strong contribution provided by stereoelectronic activation to these HAT processes.     

New Silver(I) Complexes of Pyridyl Dithioether Ligands with Ag–Ag Interactions: Effects of Anions and Ligand Spacers on the Framework Formations of Complexes

Three new silver(I) complexes existing Ag–Ag interactions, a trinuclear cluster complex [Ag₃(L ¹)₂(NO₃)₂](NO₃) 1, a dinuclear complex [Ag₂(L ¹)₂](PF₆)₂ 2 and a one-dimensional chain complex [Ag₂ L ²(NO₃)₂] 3, where L ¹ and L ² are two structurally related pyridyl dithioether ligands, bis(2-pyridylthio)methane (L ¹) and 1,3-bis(2-pyridylthio)-propane (L ²), have been synthesized and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The striking structural differences of 1 and 2 suggest that counter anions have a profound effect upon the framework formations of silver complexes with pyridyl dithioether ligands, and the differences of 1 and 3 indicate that the subtle changes of the space groups have great influence on the coordination modes of the terminal pyridylsulfanyl groups and the geometries of Ag^I ion and therefore greatly influence the structures of their complexes. The weak AgO interactions in the trinuclear complex 1 and the one-dimensinoal chain complex 3 extend them into quasi two-dimensional networks, and the AgS weak interactions in the dinuclear complex 2 into one-dimensinoal chains, and such weak interactions further stabilized these complexes.     

Making and Breaking of C−N Bonds: Applications in the Synthesis of Unsymmetric Tertiary Amines and α-Amino Carbonyl Derivatives

An operationally simple process has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical amines and α-amino carbonyl derivatives in the absence of a catalyst, ligand, oxidant, or any additives. Contrary to known reductive amination methods, this protocol is amenable to substrates containing other reducible groups. This process effectively results in consecutive cleavage and formation of C−N bonds. DFT studies and Hammett analysis provide useful insight into the mechanism. The role of noncovalent interactions as a stabilizing factor have been examined in the protocol. A wide range of alkyl-bromides have been coupled efficiently with a variety of dimethyl anilines to get unsymmetric tertiary amines with yields up to 90%. This methodology was further extended to the synthesis of α-amino carbonyl derivatives with yields up to 93%.     

Substituent Effects on the Driving Force for Inclusion Complexation of α- and β-Cyclodextrin with Monosubstituted Benzene Derivatives

The association constant values, K_a, for the inclusion of - and -CD with monosubstituted benzene derivatives were determined by means of UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The stability of the complexes is influenced by the properties of the substituents of the guest compounds. Regression analysis was used to create a set of inclusion models with the experimental association constant ln K_a and the corresponding substituent molar refraction R_m, hydrophobic constant and Hammett constant of the benzene derivatives. The ln K_a value mainly correlated with R_m for -CD and with both R_m and for -CD complexes. The association constants predicted by the models are in good agreement with the experimentally determined data. This suggests that the inclusion complexation of benzene derivatives with -CD is predominantly driven by van der Waals force and with -CD mainly by van der Waals force and hydrophobic interactions.     

Forging C−S Bonds on the Azetidine Ring by Continuous Flow Photochemical Addition of Thiols and Disulfides to Azetines

A strategy for anti-Markovnikov hydroalkyl/aryl thiolation and disulfidation of 2-azetines under continuous flow conditions has been developed. Thiyl radicals are generated from thiols or disulfides and subsequently propagate into the azetine unsaturation to forge the C−S bond and shape a secondary radical intermediate. This carbon-centered radical chain transfers to another thiol via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) or another disulfide to regenerate the key thiyl radical intermediates. The use of flow technology ensures efficient irradiation of the reaction mixture leading to extremely fast, robust, and scalable protocols. Furthermore, ethyl acetate was adopted as an environmentally responsible solvent.