Photodissociation and photoisomerization of alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene in a molecular beam

The photodissociation of jet-cooled alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene at 193 and 248 nm was studied using vacuum ultraviolet (vuv) photoionization/multimass ion imaging techniques as well as electron impact ionization/photofragment translational spectroscopy. Four dissociation channels were observed for alpha-fluorotoluene at both 193 and 248 nm, including two major channels C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CH2 (or C7H7)+F and C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CH (or C7H6)+HF and two minor channels C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CHF+H and C6H5CH2F-->C6H5+CH2F. The vuv wavelength dependence of the C7H7 fragment photoionization spectra indicates that at least part of the F atom elimination channel results from the isomerization of alpha-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring prior to dissociation. Dissociation channels of 4-fluorotoluene at 193 nm include two major channels C6H4FCH3-->C6H4FCH2+H and C6H4FCH3-->C6H4F+CH3 and two minor channels C6H4FCH3-->C6H5CH2 (or C7H7)+F and C6H4FCH3-->C6H5CH (or C7H6)+HF. The dissociation rates for alpha-fluorotoluene at 193 and 248 nm are 3.3 x 10(7) and 5.6 x 10(5) s(-1), respectively. The dissociation rate for 4-fluorotoluene at 193 nm is 1.0 x 10(6) s(-1). An ab initio calculation demonstrates that the barrier height for isomerization from alpha-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring isomer is much lower than that from 4-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring isomer. The experimental observed differences of dissociation rates and relative branching ratios between alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene may be explained by the differences in the six-membered ring to seven-membered ring isomerization barrier heights, F atom elimination threshold, and HF elimination threshold between alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene.     

Overtone-induced dissociation and isomerization dynamics of the hydroxymethyl radical (CH2OH and CD2OH). II. Velocity map imaging studies

The dissociation of the hydroxymethyl radical, CH(2)OH, and its isotopolog, CD(2)OH, following excitation in the 4ν(1) region (OH stretch overtone, near 13,600 cm(-1)) was studied using sliced velocity map imaging. A new vibrational band near 13,660 cm(-1) arising from interaction with the antisymmetric CH stretch was discovered for CH(2)OH. In CD(2)OH dissociation, D atom products (correlated with CHDO) were detected, providing the first experimental evidence of isomerization in the CH(2)OH ? CH(3)O (CD(2)OH ? CHD(2)O) system. Analysis of the H (D) fragment kinetic energy distributions shows that the rovibrational state distributions in the formaldehyde cofragments are different for the OH bond fission and isomerization pathways. Isomerization is responsible for 10%-30% of dissociation events in all studied cases, and its contribution depends on the excited vibrational level of the radical. Accurate dissociation energies were determined: D(0)(CH(2)OH → CH(2)O + H) = 10,160 ± 70 cm(-1), D(0)(CD(2)OH → CD(2)O + H) = 10,135 ± 70 cm(-1), D(0)(CD(2)OH → CHDO + D) = 10,760 ± 60 cm(-1).     

Mechanistic insight into protonolysis and cis-trans isomerization of benzylplatinum(II) complexes assisted by weak ligand-to-metal interactions. A combined kinetic and DFT study

Low-temperature NMR measurements showed that protonolysis and deuterolysis by H(D)X acids on meta- and para-substituted dibenzylplatinum(II) complexes cis-[Pt(CH(2)Ar)(2)(PEt(3))(2)] (Ar = C(6)H(4)Y(-); Y = 4-Me, 1a; 3-Me, 1b; H, 1c; 4-F, 1d; 3-F, 1e; 4-Cl, 1f; 3-Cl, 1g; 3-CF(3), 1h) in CD(3)OD leads directly to the formation of trans-[Pt(CH(2)Ar)(PEt(3))(2)(CD(3)OD)]X (4a-4h) and toluene derivatives. The reaction obeys the rate law k(obsd) = k(H)[H(+)]. For CH(2)Ar = CH(2)C(6)H(5)(-), k(H) = 176 ± 3 M(-1) s(-1) and k(D) = 185 ± 5 M(-1) s(-1) at 298.2 K, ΔH(double dagger) = 46 ± 1 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(double dagger) = -47 ± 1 J K(-1) mol(-1). In contrast, in acetonitrile-d(3), three subsequent stages can be distinguished, at different temperature ranges: (i) instantaneous formation of new benzylhydridoplatinum(IV) complexes cis-[Pt(CH(2)Ar)(2)(H)(CD(3)CN)(PEt(3))(2)]X (2a-2h, at 230 K), (ii) reductive elimination of 2a-2h to yield cis-[Pt(CH(2)Ar)(CD(3)CN)(PEt(3))(2)]X (3a-3h) and toluene derivatives (in the range 230-255 K), and finally (iii) spontaneous isomerization of the cis cationic solvento species to the corresponding trans isomers (4a-4h, in the range 260-280 K). All compounds were detected and fully characterized through their (1)H and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectra. Kinetics monitored by (1)H and (31)P{(1)H} NMR and isotopic scrambling experiments on cis-[Pt(CH(2)Ar)(2)(H)(CD(3)CN)(PEt(3))(2)]X gave some insight onto the mechanism of reductive elimination of 2a-2h. Systematic kinetics of isomerization of 3a-3h were followed in the temperature range 285-320 K by stopped-flow techniques. The process goes, as expected, through the relatively slow dissociative loss of the weakly bonded solvent molecule and interconversion of two geometrically distinct T-shaped three-coordinate intermediates. The dissociation energy depends upon the solvent-coordinating ability. DFT optimization reveals that along the energy profile the "cis-like" [Pt(CH(2)Ar)(PMe(3))(2)](+) intermediate is strongly stabilized by a Pt···η(2)-C1-C(ipso) bond between the unsaturated metal and benzyl carbons. The value of the ensuing stabilization energy was estimated by computational data to be greater than that found for similar β-agostic Pt···η(2)-CH interactions with alkyl groups containing β-hydrogens. An observed consequence of the strong stabilization of "cis"-[Pt(η(2)-CH(2)Ar)(PMe(3))(2)](+) is the remarkable acceleration of the rate of isomerization, greater than that produced by the so-called "β-hydrogen kinetic effect". Kinetic and DFT data concur to indicate that electron donation by substituents on the benzyl ring leads to further stabilization of the "cis"-[Pt(η(2)-CH(2)Ar)(PMe(3))(2)](+) cationic species.     

Overtone-induced dissociation and isomerization dynamics of the hydroxymethyl radical (CH2OH and CD2OH). I. A theoretical study

The dissociation of the hydroxymethyl radical, CH(2)OH, and its isotopolog, CD(2)OH, following the excitation of high OH stretch overtones is studied by quasi-classical molecular dynamics calculations using a global potential energy surface (PES) fitted to ab initio calculations. The PES includes CH(2)OH and CH(3)O minima, dissociation products, and all relevant barriers. Its analysis shows that the transition states for OH bond fission and isomerization are both very close in energy to the excited vibrational levels reached in recent experiments and involve significant geometry changes relative to the CH(2)OH equilibrium structure. The energies of key stationary points are refined using high-level electronic structure calculations. Vibrational energies and wavefunctions are computed by coupled anharmonic vibrational calculations. They show that high OH-stretch overtones are mixed with other modes. Consequently, trajectory calculations carried out at energies about ~3000 cm(-1) above the barriers reveal that despite initial excitation of the OH stretch, the direct OH bond fission is relatively slow (10 ps) and a considerable fraction of the radicals undergoes isomerization to the methoxy radical. The computed dissociation energies are: D(0)(CH(2)OH → CH(2)O + H) = 10,188 cm(-1), D(0)(CD(2)OH → CD(2)O + H) = 10,167 cm(-1), D(0)(CD(2)OH → CHDO + D) = 10,787 cm(-1). All are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. For CH(2)OH, the barriers for the direct OH bond fission and isomerization are: 14,205 and 13,839 cm(-1), respectively.     

Thermal activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds by tungsten alkylidene complexes.

Thermal activation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(2) (1) in neat hydrocarbon solutions transiently generates the neopentylidene complex, CpW(NO)(=CHCMe(3)) (A), which subsequently activates solvent C-H bonds. For example, the thermolysis of 1 in tetramethylsilane and perdeuteriotetramethylsilane results in the clean formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)SiMe(3)) (2) and CpW(NO)(CHDCMe(3))[CD(2)Si(CD(3))(3)] (2-d(12)), respectively, in virtually quantitative yields. The neopentylidene intermediate A can be trapped by PMe(3) to obtain CpW(NO)(=CHCMe(3))(PMe(3)) in two isomeric forms (4a-b), and in benzene, 1 cleanly forms the phenyl complex CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(5)) (5). Kinetic and mechanistic studies indicate that the C-H activation chemistry derived from 1 proceeds through two distinct steps, namely, (1) rate-determining intramolecular alpha-H elimination of neopentane from 1 to form A and (2) 1,2-cis addition of a substrate C-H bond across the W=C linkage in A. The thermolysis of 1 in cyclohexane in the presence of PMe(3) yields 4a-b as well as the olefin complex CpW(NO)(eta(2)-cyclohexene)(PMe(3)) (6). In contrast, methylcyclohexane and ethylcyclohexane afford principally the allyl hydride complexes CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(7)H(11))(H) (7a-b) and CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(8)H(13))(H) (8a-b), respectively, under identical experimental conditions. The thermolysis of 1 in toluene affords a surprisingly complex mixture of six products. The two major products are the neopentyl aryl complexes, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-3-Me) (9a) and CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (9b), in approximately 47 and 33% yields. Of the other four products, one is the aryl isomer of 9a-b, namely, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-2-Me) (9c) ( approximately 1%). The remaining three products all arise from the incorporation of two molecules of toluene; namely, CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(4)-3-Me) (11a; approximately 12%), CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (11b; approximately 6%), and CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(2) (10; approximately 1%). It has been demonstrated that the formation of complexes 10 and 11a-b involves the transient formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)C(6)H(5)) (12), the product of toluene activation at the methyl position, which reductively eliminates neopentane to generate the C-H activating benzylidene complex CpW(NO)(=CHC(6)H(5)) (B). Consistently, the thermolysis of independently prepared 12 in benzene and benzene-d(6) affords CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(5)) (13) and CpW(NO)(CHDC(6)H(5))(C(6)D(5)) (13-d(6)), respectively, in addition to free neopentane. Intermediate B can also be trapped by PMe(3) to obtain the adducts CpW(NO)(=CHC(6)H(5))(PMe(3)) (14a-b) in two rotameric forms. From their reactions with toluene, it can be deduced that both alkylidene intermediates A and B exhibit a preference for activating the stronger aryl sp(2) C-H bonds. The C-H activating ability of B also encompasses aliphatic substrates as well as it reacts with tetramethylsilane and cyclohexanes in a manner similar to that summarized above for A. All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 4a, 6, 7a, 8a, and 14a have been established by X-ray diffraction methods.     

The synthesis, structure and dynamic behaviour of disubstituted alkenylphosphine derivatives of [Rh6(CO)16

A series of [Rh(6)(CO)(16)] substituted derivatives containing Ph(2)P(alkenyl) ligands has been synthesized starting from the [Rh(6)(CO)(16-x)(NCMe)(x)](x= 1, 2) clusters and Ph(2)P((CH(2))(n)CH=CH(2))(n= 2, 3) phosphines. It was shown that the terminal alkenyl substituents in these phosphines easily undergo isomerization in the coordination sphere of the hexarhodium complexes to give the allyl -CH(2)CH=C(H)R (R = Me and Et) fragments coordinated through the double bond of the rearranged organic moieties. The solid-state structure of two clusters, [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(3))](4) and [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(2)CH(3))](8), was established by X-ray crystallography. Solution structures of the products obtained were also characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(1)H NOE) spectroscopy. It was shown that 4 and 8 exist in solution as mixtures of three isomers (A, B and C), which differ in the conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment. A similar (two species, A and B) equilibrium was found to occur in the solution of the [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=CH(2))](2) cluster. The dynamic behaviour of 2, 4 and 8[Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH=CH(2))] has been studied using VT (31)P and (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR spectroscopy, rate constants and activation parameters of the (A<-->B) isomerization processes were determined. It was shown that the most probable mechanism of this isomerization involves a dissociative [Rh6(CO)(14)(kappa1-Ph(2)P(alkenyl))] intermediate and re-coordination of the double bond to the same metal atom where the process started from. The conversion of the A and B species in and into the third isomer very likely occurs through the transfer of an allyl hydrogen atom onto the rhodium skeleton to give eventually cis conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment.     

Cobalt-mediated selective B-H activation and formation of a Co-B bond in the reaction of the 16-electron CpCo half-sandwich complex containing an o-carborane-1,2-dithiolate ligand with ethyl diazoacetate

The reaction of the 16-electron half-sandwich complex CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10)) (1; Cp = cyclopentadienyl) with ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) at ambient temperature leads to compounds CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))(CHCO(2)Et) (2), CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(8))(CHCO(2)Et)(CH(2)CO(2)Et)[CH(CO(2)Et)(CH(2)CO(2)Et)] (3), CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(9))(CH(2)CO(2)Et)(CHCO(2)Et)(2) (4), CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(9))(CHCO(2)Et)(CH(2)CO(2)Et) (5), and CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(10)H(9))(CHCO(2)Et)(2)(CH(2)CO(2)Et) (6). In 2, the EDA molecule has been inserted into one Co-S bond in 1 with the loss of N(2) to form an 18-electron compound containing a three-membered metallacyclic ring. In 3, two B-H bonds of the carborane cage have been activated and the unusual B4-H bond activation leads to the formation of a stable Co-B bond. Two EDA molecules are inserted into the Co-B3 bond to generate an unexpected six-membered heterocyclic ring Co-B-B-C-C-O. In 4, a stable Co-B bond is present as well but in the position B3/B6, and two EDA molecules are inserted into one Co-S bond to produce a five-membered heterocyclic ring Co-C-C-C-O. In 5, one EDA is inserted into the Co-B bond with the formation of a C-B bond in the position B3/B6. One more EDA is inserted into the Co-S bond in 5 to generate 6. Upon heating, 6 loses the BH vertex close to the two carbon atoms to lead to CpCo(S(2)C(2)B(9)H(9))(CHCO(2)Et)(CH(2)CO(2)Et)(2) (7) containing a nido-C(2)B(9) unit. All of the new compounds 2-7 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (11)B, and (13)C), mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, and their solid-state structures were further characterized by X-ray structural analysis.     

Unimolecular thermal fragmentation of ortho-benzyne

The ortho-benzyne diradical, o-C(6)H(4) has been produced with a supersonic nozzle and its subsequent thermal decomposition has been studied. As the temperature of the nozzle is increased, the benzyne molecule fragments: o-C(6)H(4)+Delta--> products. The thermal dissociation products were identified by three experimental methods: (i) time-of-flight photoionization mass spectrometry, (ii) matrix-isolation Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and (iii) chemical ionization mass spectrometry. At the threshold dissociation temperature, o-benzyne cleanly decomposes into acetylene and diacetylene via an apparent retro-Diels-Alder process: o-C(6)H(4)+Delta-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH. The experimental Delta(rxn)H(298)(o-C(6)H(4)-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH) is found to be 57+/-3 kcal mol(-1). Further experiments with the substituted benzyne, 3,6-(CH(3))(2)-o-C(6)H(2), are consistent with a retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation. But at higher nozzle temperatures, the cracking pattern becomes more complicated. To interpret these experiments, the retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation of o-benzyne has been investigated by rigorous ab initio electronic structure computations. These calculations used basis sets as large as [C(7s6p5d4f3g2h1i)H(6s5p4d3f2g1h)] (cc-pV6Z) and electron correlation treatments as extensive as full coupled cluster through triple excitations (CCSDT), in cases with a perturbative term for connected quadruples [CCSDT(Q)]. Focal point extrapolations of the computational data yield a 0 K barrier for the concerted, C(2v)-symmetric decomposition of o-benzyne, E(b)(o-C(6)H(4)-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH)=88.0+/-0.5 kcal mol(-1). A barrier of this magnitude is consistent with the experimental results. A careful assessment of the thermochemistry for the high temperature fragmentation of benzene is presented: C(6)H(6)-->H+[C(6)H(5)]-->H+[o-C(6)H(4)]-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH. Benzyne may be an important intermediate in the thermal decomposition of many alkylbenzenes (arenes). High engine temperatures above 1500 K may crack these alkylbenzenes to a mixture of alkyl radicals and phenyl radicals. The phenyl radicals will then dissociate first to benzyne and then to acetylene and diacetylene.     

16-electron elongated dihydrogen complex stabilized by agostic interaction

A 16-electron dicationic dihydrogen complex [Ru(eta2-H...H)(PP)2][OTf]2 [4; PP = (C6H5CH2)2PCH2CH2P(CH2C6H5)2] has been prepared and characterized by protonating the precursor hydride complex [Ru(H)(PP)2)][OTf] (2) using HOTf. The hydride and dihydrogen complexes are stabilized via agostic interaction of the ortho C-H fragment of the phenyl ring on the benzyl group. The intact nature of the H-H bond in this derivative was established from the short spin-lattice relaxation time and the observation of a substantial J(H,D) of 22.0 Hz for the HD isotopomer. The H-H bond distance calculated from J(H,D) is 1.05 A, which falls under the category of elongated dihydrogen ligands.     

Biaryl formation in the synthesis of endo and exo-platinacycles

The reactions of cis-[Pt(2)(4-MeC(6)H(4))(4)(μ-SEt(2))(2)] with bifunctional ligands ArCH=NCH(2)(2-XC(6)H(4)) containing a C-X bond at the ortho positions of the benzyl ring (Ar = 4-ClC(6)H(4), X = Br (1d); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Br (1e); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Cl (1f); Ar = 2-CH(3)C(6)H(4), X = Br (1h); Ar = 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3), X = Br (1i)) in refluxing toluene were studied. Several types of platinum(II) cyclometallated compounds containing a biaryl linkage were obtained: i) endo-five-membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2d, 2h), ii) endo-six-membered with a Pt-C(sp(3)) bond (2e, 2f), and iii) exo-five membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2i). The formed biaryl linkage involves the metallated ring for 2i and the non-metallated ring for the endo-metallacycles. The reaction of compounds 2 with PPh(3) produced the corresponding phosphine derivatives, some of which (3d, 3e, 3h and 3i) were characterised crystallographically. In addition, compound [PtBr{2-CH(3)C(6)H(3)C(6)H(4)CH=NCH(2)(2-C(6)H(4)Br)}SEt(2)] (2c) containing a seven-membered endo-metallacycle was also obtained and characterised crystallographically.     

Reactions of arachno-6,8-C2B7H12- with electron deficient olefins: syntheses of cyano-substituted carboranes

The syntheses of new cyano-substituted derivatives of arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(13) have been achieved through the addition reactions of the arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12)(-) (1-) anion with cyano-activated olefins. The reaction of PSH+1- with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) yielded the unusual bridging compound PSH(+)endo-6-endo-7-[micro(2)-(C(CN)(2))(2)]-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12)(-) (PSH+2-)) resulting from cycloaddition of the TCNE at the C6-B7 edge of the anion. Consistent with its hypho skeletal electron count, an X-ray crystallographic study and DFT/GIAO calculations confirm 2(-) has a more open structure than 1-. The reaction of 1- with acrylonitrile resulted in the formation of endo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(11)(-) (3-), which, upon acidification, afforded endo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12) (3) in high yield. X-ray crystallographic and DFT/GIAO studies established that the cyanoethyl fragment in 3 is substituted at the endo-position of the C6 cage-carbon. Heating 3 in THF at 50 degrees C or in toluene at 110 degrees C resulted in the quantitative isomerization of the cyanoethyl-substituent from the endo- to the exo-position at C6 to yield exo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12) (4). This is the first example of an endo to exo isomerization to be observed at a cage-carbon of a carborane. While heating 3 resulted in isomerization to 4, heating 3- in the presence of a small amount of 3 yielded the new ethylene-bridged 10-vertex tricarbaborane micro(6,9)-(CH(2)CH(2))-arachno-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(11) (5) resulting from reduction of the 3- pendant nitrile group, followed by deammination and carbon insertion.     

Synthesis of carbaalane halogen derivatives

The carbaalane halogen derivatives [(AlX)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (X = F (9), Cl (7), Br (10), I (11)) were prepared in toluene from [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (6) and BF(3).OEt(2), BX(3) (X = Br, I), Me(3)SnF, and Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, Br, I), respectively. A partially halogenated product [(AlH)(2)(AlX)(4)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (12) (X = Cl (approximately 40%), Br (approximately 60%)) was obtained from 5 and impure BBr(3). [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)Ph)(6)] (5) was converted to [(AlX)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)Ph)(6)] (X = F (13), Cl (14), Br (15), I (16)) using BF(3).OEt(2) and Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, Br, I), respectively. The X-ray single-crystal structures of 11.C(6)H(6), 12.3C(7)H(8), 13.6C(7)H(8), and 15.4C(7)H(8) were determined. Compounds 7 and 9-11 are soluble in benzene/toluene and could be well characterized by NMR spectroscopy and MS (EI) spectrometry. The results demonstrate the facile substitution of the hydridic hydrogen atoms in 5 and 6 by the halides with different reagents.     

Aluminacyclopropene: syntheses, characterization, and reactivity toward terminal alkynes

Reactions of LAl with ethyne, mono- and disubstituted alkynes, and diyne to aluminacyclopropene LAl[eta2-C2(R1)(R2)] ((L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3); R1 = R2 = H, (1); R1 = H, R2 = Ph, (2); R1 = R2 = Me, (3); R1 = SiMe3, R2 = C[triple bond]CSiMe3, (4)) are reported. Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained in equimolar quantities of the starting materials at low temperature. The amount of C2H2 was controlled by removing an excess of C2H2 in the range from -78 to -50 degrees C. Compound 4 can be alternatively prepared by the substitution reaction of LAl[eta2-C2(SiMe3)2] with Me3SiC[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CSiMe3 or by the reductive coupling reaction of LAlI2 with potassium in the presence of Me3SiC[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CSiMe3. The reaction of LAl with excess C2H2 and PhC[triple bond]CH (<1:2) afforded the respective alkenylalkynylaluminum compounds LAl(CH=CH2)(C[triple bond]CH) (5) and LAl(CH=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CPh) (6). The reaction of LAl(eta2-C2Ph2) with C2H2 and PhC[triple bond]CH yielded LAl(CPh=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CH) (7) and LAl(CPh=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CPh) (8), respectively. Rationally, the formation of 5 (or 6) may proceed through the corresponding precursor 1 (or 2). The theoretical studies based on DFT calculations show that an interaction between the Al(I) center and the C[triple bond]C unit needs almost no activation energy. Within the AlC2 ring the computational Al-C bond order of ca. 1 suggests an Al-C sigma bond and therefore less pi electron delocalization over the AlC2 ring. The computed Al-eta2-C2 bond dissociation energies (155-82.6 kJ/mol) indicate a remarkable reactivity of aluminacyclopropene species. Finally, the 1H NMR spectroscopy monitored reaction of LAl(eta2-C2Ph2) and PhC[triple bond]CH in toluene-d8 may reveal an acetylenic hydrogen migration process.     

An EPR study of the C-O bond activation of 1,2-epoxybutane by ground-state Al atoms

Group 13 metal atoms react with ethers under matrix isolation conditions to give a number of interesting products. This work has been extended to include the reaction of Al atoms with 1,2-epoxybutane (CH(3)CH(2)H(2)) and its isotopomers, 1,2-epoxybutane-1,1-d(2) (CH(3)CH(2)D(2)) and 1,2-epoxybutane-2-d(1) (CH(3)CH(2)H(2)). The paramagnetic species generated in the reaction have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two divalent Al insertion products were spontaneously formed. Species A, with the magnetic parameters a(Al) = 855 MHz, a(H)(1) = 28.8 MHz, a(H)(2) = 13.6 MHz, and g = 2.0014, is the C(1)-O insertion radical CH(3)CH(2). Species B, thought to result from the insertion of Al atoms into the C(2)-O bond, CH(3)CH(2), has the magnetic parameters g = 2.0003, a(Al) = 739 MHz, a(H)(1) = 15.1 MHz, a(H)(2) = 18.5 MHz, and a(H)(1) = 37.8 MHz. Support for these assignments was obtained by comparing the experimental values of the Al and H hyperfine interaction (hfi) with those calculated using a DFT method. At temperatures < 150 K, there is evidence for the formation of the alkyl radical CH(3)CH(2)CH(O(-))CH(2)* due to ring opening at the C(1)-O bond, while at higher temperatures a radical with magnetic parameters similar to those reported for 1-methallyl was detected.     

Metastable decomposition and hydrogen migration of ethane dication produced in an intense femtosecond near-infrared laser field

We investigated a formation channel of triatomic molecular hydrogen ions from ethane dication induced by irradiation of intense laser fields (800 nm, 100 fs, ～1 × 10(14) W∕cm(2)) by using time of flight mass spectrometry. Hydrogen ion and molecular hydrogen ion (H,D)(n)(+) (n = 1-3) ejected from ethane dications, produced by double ionization of three types of samples, CH(3)CH(3), CD(3)CD(3), and CH(3)CD(3), were measured. All fragments were found to comprise components with a kinetic energy of ～3.5 eV originating from a two-body Coulomb explosion of ethane dications. Based on the signal intensities and the anisotropy of the ejection direction with respect to the laser polarization direction, the branching ratios, H(+):D(+) = 66:34, H(2)(+):HD(+):D(2)(+) = 63:6:31, and H(3)(+):H(2)D(+):HD(2)(+):D(3)(+) = 26:31:34:9 for the decomposition of C(2)H(3)D(3)(2+), were determined. The ratio of hydrogen molecules, H(2):HD:D(2) = 31:48:21, was also estimated from the signal intensities of the counter ion C(2)(H,D)(4)(2+). The similarity in the extent of H∕D mixture in (H,D)(3)(+) with that of (H,D)(2) suggests that these two dissociation channels have a common precursor with the C(2)H(4)(2+)...H(2) complex structure, as proposed theoretically in the case of H(3)(+) ejection from allene dication [A. M. Mebel and A. D. Bandrauk, J. Chem. Phys. 129, 224311 (2008)]. In contrast, the (H,D)(2)(+) ejection path with a lower extent of H∕D mixture and a large anisotropy is expected to proceed essentially via a different path with a much rapid decomposition rate. For the Coulomb explosion path of C-C bond breaking, the yield ratios of two channels, CH(3)CD(3)(2+)→ CH(3)(+) + CD(3)(+) and CH(2)D(+) + CHD(2)(+), were 81:19 and 92:8 for the perpendicular and parallel directions, respectively. This indicates that the process occurs at a rapid rate, which is comparable to hydrogen migration through the C-C bond, resulting in smaller anisotropy for the latter channel that needs H∕D exchange.     

High pressure pyrolysis of toluene. 1. Experiments and modeling of toluene decomposition

The pyrolysis of toluene, the simplest methyl-substituted aromatic molecule, has been studied behind reflected shock waves using a single pulse shock tube. Experiments were performed at nominal high pressures of 27 and 45 bar and spanning a wide temperature range from 1200 to 1900 K. A variety of stable species, ranging from small hydrocarbons to single ring aromatics (principal soot precursors such as phenylacetylene and indene) were sampled from the shock tube and analyzed using standard gas chromatographic techniques. A detailed chemical kinetic model with 262 reactions and 87 species was assembled to simulate the stable species profiles (specifically toluene, benzene and methane) from the current high-pressure pyrolysis data sets and shock tube-atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS) H atom profiles obtained from prior toluene pyrolysis experiments performed under similar high-temperature conditions and lower pressures from 1.5 to 8 bar. The primary steps in toluene pyrolysis represent the most sensitive and dominant reactions in the model. Consequently, in the absence of unambiguous direct experimental measurements, we have utilized recent high level theoretical estimates of the barrierless association rate coefficients for these primary reactions, C6H5 + CH3 --> C6H5CH3 (1a) and C6H5CH2 + H --> C6H5CH3 (1b) in the detailed chemical kinetic model. The available data sets can be successfully reconciled with revised values for deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5CH2) = 51.5 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol and deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5) = 78.6 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol that translate to primary dissociation rate constants, reverse of 1a and 1b, represented by k(-1a,infinity) = (4.62 x 10(25))T(-2.53)exp[-104.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) and k(-1b,infinity) = (1.524 x 10(16))T(-0.04)exp[-93.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) (R in units of cal/(mol K)). These high-pressure limiting rate constants suggest high-temperature branching ratios for the primary steps that vary from 0.39 to 0.52 over the temperature range 1200-1800 K.     

Acetylide-bridged organometallic oligomers via the photochemical metathesis of methyl-iron(II) complexes

The acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes, cis/trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1) and trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (2) (dmpe = 1,2-dimethylphoshinoethane; depe = 1,2-diethylphosphinoethane), were synthesized by transmetalation from the corresponding alkyl halide complexes. Acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes were also formed by transmetalation from the chloride complexes, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)] or trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)]. The structure of trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(CH(3))] (1a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The methyl acetylido iron complexes, [Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1), are thermally stable in the presence of acetylenes; however, under UV irradiation, methane is lost with the formation of a metal bisacetylide. Photochemical metathesis of cis- or trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CR)] (R = C(6)H(5) (1a), 4-C(6)H(4)OCH(3) (1b)) with terminal acetylenes was used to selectively synthesize unsymmetrically substituted iron(II) bisacetylide complexes of the type trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(C[triple bond]CR')] [R = Ph, R' = Ph (6a), 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (6b), (t)()Bu (6c), Si(CH(3))(3) (6d), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6e); R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), R' = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), (6g), (t)()Bu (6h), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6i), adamantyl (6j)]. The structure of the unsymmetrical iron(II) bisacetylide complex trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))] (6b) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The photochemical metathesis of the bis-acetylene, 1,7-octadiyne, with trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CPh)] (1a), was utilized to synthesize the bridged binuclear species trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (11). The trinuclear species trans,trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (12) was synthesized by the photochemical reaction of Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CPh)(C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH) (6e) with Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(2). Extended irradiation of the bisacetylide complexes with phenylacetylene resulted in insertion of the terminal alkyne into one of the metal acetylide bonds to give acetylide butenyne complexes. The structure of the acetylide butenyne complex, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))(eta(1)-C(C(6)H(5))=CH(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3)))] (9a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Cis-Trans Isomerization and Oxidation of Radical Cations of Stilbene Derivatives

Isomerization from cis stilbene derivatives (c-S (S = RCH=CHC(6)H(5): 1, R = C(6)H(5); 2, R = 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 3, R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (= An); 4, R = 2,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 5, R = 3,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 6, R = 3,5-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 7, AnCH=C(CH(3))C(6)H(5); 8, AnCH=CHAn)) to trans isomers (t-S) and oxidation of S with O(2) were studied in gamma-ray radiolyses of c-S in Ar-saturated 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and of S in O(2)-saturated DCE, respectively. On the basis of product analyses, it is suggested that a smaller barrier to c-t unimolecular isomerization for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) than for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) due to the single bond character of the central C=C double bond for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) with a p-methoxyl group but not for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) without a p-methoxyl group because of the contribution of a quinoid-type structure induced by charge-spin separation. The isomerization proceeds via chain reaction mechanisms involving c-t unimolecular isomerization and endergonic hole transfer or dimerization and decomposition. The isomerization of c-3(*+) to t-3(*+) is catalyzed by addition of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene but terminated by triethylamine. The regioselective formation of 3d in oxidation of 3(*+) with O(2) is explained by spin localization on the beta-olefinic carbon in 3(*+). The results of product analyses are compared with the rate constants of the unimolecular isomerization and the oxidation for S(*+) measured with pulse radiolyses.     

Iridium(III) silyl alkyl and iridacyclic compounds supported by 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl

Treatment of IrCl(3)x H(2)O with one equivalent of 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dtbpy) in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) afforded [IrCl(3)(dmf)(dtbpy)] (1). Alkylation of 1 with Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl resulted in C--Si cleavage of the Me(3)SiCH(2) group and formation of the Ir(III) silyl dialkyl compound [Ir(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] (2), which reacted with tBuNC to afford [Ir(tBuNC)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] ([2(tBuNC)]). Reaction of 2 with phenylacetylene afforded dimeric [{Ir(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(dtbpy)(SiMe(3))}(2)(mu-C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(2)] (3), in which the bridging PhC[triple chemical bond]C(-) ligands are bound to Ir in a mu-sigma:pi fashion. Alkylation of 1 with PhMe(2)CCH(2)MgCl afforded the cyclometalated compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (4), which features an agostic interaction between the Ir center and the 2-tert-butylphenyl ligand. The cyclic voltammogram of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) shows a reversible Ir(IV)-Ir(III) couple at about 0.02 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene. Oxidation of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) with silver triflate afforded an Ir(IV) species that exhibits an anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal in CH(2)Cl(2) glass at 4 K with g( parallel)=2.430 and g( perpendicular)=2.110. Protonation of 4 with HCl and p-toluenesulfonic acid (HOTs) afforded [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)Cl}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (5) and [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)(OTs)(2)] (6), respectively. Reaction of 5 with Li[BEt(3)H] gave the cyclometalated complex [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (7). Reaction of 4 with tetracyanoethylene in refluxing toluene resulted in electrophilic substitution of the iridacycle by C(2)(CN)(3) with formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(3){4-C(2)(CN)(3)})(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (8). Reaction of 4 with diethyl maleate in refluxing toluene gave the iridafuran compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}] (9). Treatment of 9 with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (xylNC) led to cleavage of the iridafuran ring and formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}(xylNC)] (10). Protonation of 9 with HBF(4) afforded the dinuclear neophyl complex [(Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)})(2)][BF(4)](2) (11). The solid-state structures of complexes 2-5 and 8-11 have been determined.     

Reactions of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol with [H2Os3(CO)9(PR3)] clusters. Cyclization of the diyne and reversible exchange of the phosphine ligands between different positions of the "Os3C3" framework

Reactions between unsaturated [H(2)Os(3)(CO)(9)(PR(3))] clusters (PR(3)= PPh(3), P(4-CF(3)-C(6)H(4))(3), PEt(3)) and 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol have been studied. It was found that the diyne ligand easily reacts with all these complexes to give [HOs(3)(CO)8(PR3)-[mu3, eta1:eta3:eta1)-(CH(3)-C-C=CH-CH=C-O)]] complexes (V, VI and VII, respectively) containing the "Os3C3" pentagonal pyramid cluster framework. This structural pattern is formed through the diyne cyclization, dissociation of a CO ligand and eventual coordination of the cyclized organic moiety to the osmium triangle in the [mu3, eta1:eta3:eta1) manner. In the case of the PEt(3) substituted cluster the second hydride transfer onto the organic fragment occurs to afford the nonhydride [Os(3)(CO)(8)(PR3)[mu3), eta1:eta2:eta1)-(CH(3)-CH-C=CH-CH=C-O)]] cluster, VIII, containing distorted pentagonal pyramid framework with a broken Os-C bond. Heating V, VI of VII and in hexane solutions results in formation of the regioisomers (Va, VIa and VIIa) with the phosphine ligand located at adjacent osmium atoms across the Os-Os bond bridged by the coordinated organic fragment. The most probable mechanism of the isomerization includes reversible phosphine migration between these metal centres. Solid-state structure of V, Va, VI, VIIa and VIII have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A general mechanistic scheme for the diyne ligand cyclization and cluster framework transformations is suggested and discussed.