Cleavage of carbon-carbon bonds of diphenylacetylene and its derivatives via photolysis of Pt complexes: tuning the C-C bond formation energy toward selective C-C bond activation

Carbon-carbon bond activation of diphenylacetylene and several substituted derivatives has been achieved via photolysis and studied. Pt0-acetylene complexes with eta2-coordination of the alkyne, along with the corresponding PtII C-C activated photolysis products, have been synthesized and characterized, including X-ray crystal structural analysis. While the C-C cleavage reaction occurs readily under photochemical conditions, thermal activation of the C-C bonds or formation of PtII complexes was not observed. However, the reverse reaction, C-C reductive coupling (PtII --> Pt0), did occur under thermal conditions, allowing the determination of the energy barriers for C-C bond formation from the different PtII complexes. For the reaction (dtbpe)Pt(-Ph)(-CCPh) (2) --> (dtbpe)Pt(eta2-PhCCPh) (1), DeltaG was 32.03(3) kcal/mol. In comparison, the energy barrier for the C-C bond formation in an electron-deficient system, that is, (dtbpe)Pt(C6F5)(CCC6F5) (6) --> (dtbpe)Pt(eta2-bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene) (5), was found to be 47.30 kcal/mol. The energy barrier for C-C bond formation was able to be tuned by electronically modifying the substrate with electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups. Upon cleavage of the C-C bond in (dtbpe)Pt(eta2-(p-fluorophenyl-p-tolylacetylene) (9), both (dtbpe)Pt(p-fluorophenyl)(p-tolylacetylide) (10) and (dtbpe)Pt(p-tolyl)(p-fluorophenylacetylide) (11) were obtained. Kinetic studies of the reverse reaction confirmed that 10 was more stable toward the reductive coupling [the term "reductive coupling" is defined as the formation of (dtbpe)Pt(eta2-acetylene) complex from the PtII complex] than 11 by 1.22 kcal/mol, under the assumption that the transition-state energies are the same for the two pathways. The product ratio for 10 and 11 was 55:45, showing that the electron-deficient C-C bond is only slightly preferentially cleaved.     

Metathesis of carbonyl containing olefins by 2nd generation Ru alkylidene catalysts: A computational study

The metathesis reaction of cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene (2) mediated by a second generation ruthenium alkylidene catalyst (IMesH₂)Cl₂RuCHPh (1) where IMesH₂ is 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene group has been modeled at PBE0/LACV3P*//PBE0/LACVP* level of theory. The calculations demonstrate that the driving force of the metathesis reaction is the formation of a Ru–O coordination bond in the corresponding Ru acetoxyethylidene complex 8a-II. The free activation energy of metathesis by 8a-II complex is higher than that of the metathesis reaction mediated by the conventional ruthenium alkylidene catalyst (8b), due to the additional stabilization of the Ru center by a carbonyl oxygen revealing lower reactivity of carbonyl containing ruthenium carbene species. It has been shown that conjugation between carbonyl and olefin double bonds decreases the reactivity of olefins due stabilization of nonproductive complex between Ru center and carbonyl group of the olefin.     

Quantum chemical study of the mechanism of catalytic [2+2+2] cycloaddition of acrylic acid esters to norbornadiene in the presence of nickel(0) complexes

The mechanism of the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ethyl acrylate to norbornadiene (NBD) catalyzed by Ni⁰ complexes was modeled in terms of the density functional theory (DFT) at the PBE level. The formation of the first C—C bond between the coordinated NBD and ethyl acrylate molecules is the rate-determining step of the process. The low stereoselectivity of the reaction is due to the close matching of the activation barriers for the formation of exo- and endo-cycloadducts (25.6 and 24.9 kcal mol^?1, respectively).     

Rate and mechanism of the reversible formation of cationic (eta3-allyl)-palladium complexes in the oxidative addition of allylic acetate to palladium(0) complexes ligated by diphosphanes

The oxidative addition of the allylic acetate, CH2=CH-CH2-OAc, to the palladium(o) complex [Pd0(P,P)], generated from the reaction of [Pd(dba)2, with one equivalent of P,P (P,P = dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)butane, and P,P = dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene), gives a cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex, [(eta3-C3H5)Pd(P,P)+]. with AcO as the counter anion. This reaction is reversible and proceeds through two successive equilibria. The overall equilibrium constants have been determined in DMF. Compared with PPh3, the overall equilibrium lies more in favor of the cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex when bidentate P,P ligands are considered in the order: dppb > dppf > PPh3. The reaction proceeds via a neutral intermediate complex [(eta2-CH=CH-CHCH2-OAc)Pd0(P,P)], which has been kinetically detected. The rate constants of the successive steps have been determined in DMF by UV spectroscopy and conductivity measurements. The overall complexation step of the Pd0 by the allylic acetate C=C bond is faster than the oxidative addition/ionization step which gives the cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex.     

Nickel(0)-catalyzed isomerization of an aryne complex: formation of a dinuclear Ni(I) complex via C-H rather than C-F bond activation

The reaction of the aryne complex (PEt3)2Ni(eta2-C6H2-4,5-F2) with a catalytic amount of Ni(PEt3)2 results in a dinuclear Ni(I) complex from the coupling of the isomer (PEt3)2Ni(eta2-C6H2-3,4-F2), obtained via rearrangement of the aromatic C-H bonds, which demonstrates that Ni(PEt3)2 is kinetically capable of C-H bond activation, even in the presence of C-F bonds. The intermediate [(PEt3)2Ni]2(mu-eta2:eta2-C6H2-4,5-F2) was isolated and crystallographically characterized; the mu-eta2:eta2-bonding mode observed is unprecedented in aryne chemistry.     

Experimental and theoretical examination of C-CN and C-H bond activations of acetonitrile using zerovalent nickel

Experimental and density functional theory show that the reaction of acetonitrile with a zerovalent nickel bis(dialkylphosphino)ethane fragment (alkyl = methyl, isopropyl) proceeds via initial exothermic formation of an eta(2)-nitrile complex. Three well-defined transition states have been found on the potential energy surface between the eta(2)-nitrile complex and the activation products. The lowest energy transition state is an eta(3)-acetonitrile complex, which connects the eta(2)-nitrile to a higher energy eta(3)-acetonitrile intermediate with an agostic C-H bond, while the other two lead to cleavage of either the C-H or the C-CN bonds. Gas-phase calculations show C-CN bond activation to be endothermic, which contradicts the observation of thermal C-CN activation in THF. Therefore, the effect of solvent was taken into consideration by using the polarizable continuum model (PCM), whereupon the activation of the C-CN bond was found to be exothermic. Furthermore the C-CN bond activation was found to be favored exclusively over C-H bond activation due to the strong thermodynamic driving force and slightly lower kinetic barrier.     

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.     

Chemical and electrochemical reduction of polyarene manganese tricarbonyl cations: hapticity changes and generation of syn- and anti-facial bimetallic eta4,eta6-naphthalene complexes

(Eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) is reduced reversibly by two electrons in CH(2)Cl(2) to afford (eta4-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(-). The chemical and electrochemical reductions of this and analogous complexes containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) coordinated to Mn(CO)(3)(+) indicate that the second electron addition is thermodynamically easier but kinetically slower than the first addition. Density functional theory calculations suggest that most of the bending or folding of the naphthalene ring that accompanies the eta6 --> eta4 hapticity change occurs when the second electron is added. As an alternative to further reduction, the 19-electron radicals (eta6-PAH)Mn(CO)(3) can undergo catalytic CO substitution when phosphite nucleophiles are present. Chemical reduction of (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) and analogues with one equivalent of cobaltocene affords a syn-facial bimetallic complex (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(5), which contains a Mn-Mn bond. Catalytic oxidative activation under CO reversibly converts this complex to the zwitterionic syn-facial bimetallic (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(6), in which the Mn-Mn bond is cleaved and the naphthalene ring is bent by 45 degrees . Controlled reduction experiments at variable temperatures indicate that the bimetallic (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(5) originates from the reaction of (eta4-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(-) acting as a nucleophile to displace the arene from (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+). Heteronuclear syn-facial and anti-facial bimetallics are formed by the reduction of mixtures of (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) and other complexes containing a fused polycyclic ring, e.g., (eta5-indenyl)Fe(CO)(3)(+) and (eta6-naphthalene)FeCp(+). The great ease with which naphthalene-type manganese tricarbonyl complexes undergo an eta6 --> eta4 hapticity change is the basis for the formation of both the homo- and heteronuclear bimetallics, for the observed two-electron reduction, and for the far greater reactivity of (eta6-PAH)Mn(CO)(3)(+) complexes in comparison to monocyclic arene analogues.     

Unique Reactivity of a Diphenyldisilane Unit Incorporated into the Bicyclic Ring System: Generation of a Disilanyllithium via Silicon-Phenyl Bond Cleavage with Lithium

A bicyclic diphenyldisilane bearing two tetramethylene tethers reacts with lithium to form predominantly the disilanyllithium as a result of Si-C_Ph bond fission, while the pentamethylene homolog undergoes ordinary Si-Si bond cleavage to afford the expected phenylsilyllithium. The compressed Si-Si bond incorporated in the bicyclic ring system may be kinetically stabilized (compression effect), resulting in the unusual Si-C bond fission. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane, a Calas-type reaction takes place on the phenyl rings. This result suggests that electron transfer to the phenyl group is the primary process in these bicyclic disilanes, followed by Si-Si or Si-C bond cleavage to afford the corresponding silyllithium species.     

Hydrogen-mediated metal-carbon to metal-boron bond conversion in metal-carboranyl complexes

A hydrogen-mediated Ru-C to Ru-B bond conversion was observed experimentally and supported by the theoretical calculations. Treatment of [eta(5):sigma(C)-Me(2)C(C(5)H(4))(C(2)B(10)H(10))]Ru(COD) (1) bearing a Ru-C(cage) sigma bond with PR(3) in the presence of H(2) gave Ru-B(cage) bonded complexes [eta(5):sigma(B)-Me(2)C(C(5)H(4))(C(2)B(10)H(10))]RuH(2)(PR(3)) (R = Cy (2), Ph (3)) (sigma(C): Ru-C(cage) sigma bond; sigma(B): Ru-B(cage) sigma bond). Complex 3 was converted to [eta(5):sigma(B)-Me(2)C(C(5)H(4))(C(2)B(10)H(10))]Ru(L(2)) in the presence of L(2) (L(2) = dppe (4), PPh(3)/P(OEt)(3) (5), PPh(3)/pyridine (6)) via liberation of H(2) upon heating. These complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. DFT calculations show that this conversion process is both kinetically and thermodynamically favorable and requires involvement of a hydride ligand.     

The first structural characterisation of a group 2 metal alkylperoxide complex: comments on the cleavage of dioxygen by magnesium alkyl complexes

A new high-yield synthesis of [(PhCH(2))(2)Mg(thf)(2)] and [[(PhCH(2))CH(3)Mg(thf)](2)] via benzylpotassium has allowed a simple entry into benzylmagnesium coordination chemistry. The syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of both [(eta(2)-Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2))Mg(CH(2)Ph)(2)] and [eta(2)-HC[C(CH(3))NAr'](2)Mg(CH(2)Ph)(thf)] (Ar'=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) are reported. The latter beta-diketiminate complex reacts with dioxygen to provide a 1:2 mixture of dimeric benzylperoxo and benzyloxo complexes. The benzylperoxo complex [[eta(2)-HC[C(CH(3))NAr'](2)Mg(mu-eta(2):eta(1)-OOCH(2)Ph)](2)] is the first example of a structurally characterised Group 2 metal-alkylperoxo complex and contains the benzylperoxo ligands in an unusual mu-eta(2):eta(1)-coordination mode, linking the two five-coordinate magnesium centres. The O[bond]O separation in the benzylperoxo ligands is 1.44(2) A. Reaction of the benzylperoxo/benzyloxo complex mixture with further [eta(2)-HC[C(CH(3))NAr'](2)Mg(CH(2)Ph)(thf)] results in complete conversion of the benzylperoxo species into the benzyloxo complex. This reaction, therefore, establishes the cleavage of dioxygen by this system as a two-step process that involves initial oxygen insertion into the Mg[bond]CH(2)Ph bond followed by O[bond]O/Mg[bond]C sigma-bond metathesis of the resulting benzylperoxo ligand with a second Mg[bond]CH(2)Ph bond. The formation of a 1:2 mixture of the benzylperoxo and benzyloxo species indicates that the rate of the insertion is faster than that of the metathesis, and this is shown to be consistent with a radical mechanism for the insertion process.     

The surprising nitrogen-analogue chemistry of the methyltrioxorhenium-catalyzed olefin epoxidation

Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP level have been carried out to investigate the mechanism of the reaction of ethylene with [Re(O)2(O-NH)Me], a formal hydroxylamine derivative of the industrial epoxidation catalyst methyltrioxorhenium(VII) (MTO). A variety of reaction pathways has been considered, including the concerted heteroatom-transfer mechanism postulated by Sharpless and the stepwise mechanism via a five-membered "organometallacycle" postulated by Mimoun. Ethylene has been found not to coordinate directly at the metal. The calculations reveal similar activation free enthalpies for the concerted nitrene-transfer event (aziridination) and for the formation of an organometallic rhena-2,3-oxazolidine via [2+2] addition of ethylene across the Re-N bond of the metallaoxaziridine moiety. The fragmentation of the organometallacycle is faster than its formation and gives ethylideneazane rather than aziridine. An additional pathway has a lower activation free enthalpy and leads to a rhena-3,2-oxazolidine. The formation of this organometallacycle proceeds via an intermediate ring-opening product, [Re(O)2(eta1-O-NH)Me], which undergoes [3+2] cycloaddition across the C=C bond of ethylene. Analysis of its electronic structure reveals that the eta1 species should be considered a metalla-analogue nitrosonium ylide rather than a metalla-analogue imine oxide. Fragmentation of the rhena-3,2-oxazolidine liberates acetaldehyde. The discovery of favorable pathways leading to organometallacycles upon reaction of C=C bonds with [Re(O)2(O-NH)Me] stands in sharp contrast to the strong preference of the concerted mechanism in the olefin epoxidation with rhenium peroxo complexes. The calculations show the multiple mechanisms to be distinguishable by four different products, calling for further experimental studies. The successful search for the five-membered organometallacycles parallels the computational prediction of four-membered organometallacycles derived from d0 metal oxo complexes (Deubel, D. V.; Frenking, G. Acc. Chem. Res. 2003, 36, 645) and the indirect observation of metalla-2-oxetanes in recent gas-phase experiments (Chen, X.; Zhang, X.; Chen, P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2003, 42, 3798).     

The nature of the indenyl effect

The eta(5)-to-eta(3) coordination shift of cyclopentadienyl (Cp=C(5)H(5)(-)) and indenyl (Ind=C(9)H(7)(-)) ligands in molybdenocene complexes, [(eta(5)-Cp')(eta(5)-Cp)Mo(CO)(2)](2+) (Cp'=Cp or Ind), driven by a two-electron reduction of those species, was studied and compared by means of molecular orbital calculations (B3LYP HF/DFT hybrid functional, DZP basis sets). The results obtained, in terms of optimized geometries, relative energies, and bond analysis parameters, compare well with the experimental data, and verify the well-known indenyl effect, that is, a significantly more facile eta(5)-to-eta(3) rearrangement for the indenyl ligand when compared to cyclopentadienyl. However, the study of the folding of free Cp and Ind, combined with the (eta(5/3)-Cp')-M bond analysis, shows that the observed difference is not the result of an intrinsic characteristic of the indenyl ligand, such as the traditionally accepted aromaticity gain in the benzene ring formed in eta(3)-Ind complexes. Instead, it is directly related to the Cp'-M bond strength. While the difference in the energy required to fold the two free ligands is negligible (< or =1 kcal mol(-1) for folding angles up to 20 degrees), the (eta(5)-Cp)-M bond is stronger than that of (eta(5)-Ind)-M; however, the opposite situation is found for the eta(3) coordination mode. The net result, for Cp'=Ind, is a destabilization of the eta(5) complexes and a stabilization of the eta(3) intermediates or transition states yielding smaller activation energies and faster reaction rates for processes in which that is the rate-determining step.     

Selective sp3 C-H activation of ketones at the beta position by Ir(I). Origin of regioselectivity and water effect

The reaction of the cationic (PNP)Ir(I)(cyclooctene) complex (1) (PNP = 2,6-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)pyridine) with 2-butanone or 3-pentanone results in the selective, quantitative activation of a beta C-H bond, yielding O,C-chelated complexes. Calculations show that the selectivity is both kinetically (because of steric reasons in the rate determingin step (RDS)) and thermodynamically controlled, the latter as a result of carbonyl oxygen coordination in the product. The RDS is formation of the eta2-C,H intermediates from the complexed ketone intermediates. Water has a strong influence on the regioselectivity, and in its presence, reaction of 1 with 2-butanone gives also the alpha terminal C-H activation product. Computational studies suggest that water can stabilize the terminal alpha C-H activation product by hydrogen bonding, forming a six-membered ring with the ketone, as experimentally observed in the X-ray structure of the acetonyl hydride aqua complex.     

Solution structures and dynamic properties of chelated d(0) metal olefin complexes [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(+) (R = H, Me): Models for the [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(R')(olefin)(+) intermediates in "constrained geometry" catalysts.

To model the Ti-olefin interaction in the putative [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(R')(olefin)(+) intermediates in "constrained geometry" Ti-catalyzed olefin polymerization, chelated alkoxide olefin complexes [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(+) have been investigated. The reaction of [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]TiMe(2) (1a,b; R = H, Me) with HOCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2) yields mixtures of [eta(5)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)NH(t)Bu]TiMe(2)(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2)) (2a,b) and [eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]TiMe(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2)) (3a,b). The reaction of 2a/3a and 2b/3b mixtures with B(C(6)F(5))(3) yields the chelated olefin complexes [[eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)R(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))][MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (4a,b; 71 and 89% NMR yield). The reaction of 2b/3b with [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] yields [[eta(5): eta(1)-C(5)Me(4)SiMe(2)N(t)Bu]Ti(OCMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (5b, 88% NMR yield). NMR studies establish that 4a,b and 5b exist as mixtures of diastereomers (isomer ratios: 4a/4a', 62/38; 4b/4b', 75/25; 5b/5b', 75/25), which differ in the enantioface of the olefin that is coordinated. NMR data for these d(0) metal olefin complexes show that the olefin coordinates to Ti in an unsymmetrical fashion primarily through C(term) such that the C=C pi bond is polarized with positive charge buildup on C(int). Dynamic NMR studies show that 4b/4b' undergoes olefin face exchange by a dissociative mechanism which is accompanied by fast inversion of configuration at Ti ("O-shift") in the olefin-dissociated intermediate. The activation parameters for the conversion of 4b to 4b' (i.e., 4b/4b' face exchange) are: DeltaH = 17.2(8) kcal/mol; DeltaS = 8(1) eu. 4a/4a' also undergoes olefin face exchange but with a lower barrier (DeltaH = 12.2(9) kcal/mol; DeltaS = -2(3) eu), for the conversion of 4a to 4a'.     

Carbon-fluorine bond activation coupled with carbon-carbon bond formation at iridium. Confirmation of complete kinetic diastereoselectivity at the new carbon stereocenter by intramolecular trapping using vinyl as the migrating group

The iridium(perfluoropropyl)(vinyl) complex CpIr(PMe(3))(n-C(3)F(7))(CH=CH(2)) (5) has been prepared. It has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, and its ground state conformation in solution has been determined by (19)F{(1)H} HOESY NMR studies. It reacts with the weak acid lutidinium iodide to afford the eta(1)-allylic complex CpIr(PMe(3))((Z)-CH(2)CH=CFC(2)F(5))I (6), which has also been characterized crystallographically. The mechanism of C-F bond activation and C-C bond formation leading to 6 has been elucidated in detail by studying the reaction of 5 with lutidinium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate [LutH(+)B(ArF)(4)(-)], containing a weakly coordinating counteranion. The main kinetic product of this reaction, determined by (19)F{(1)H} HOESY studies at -50 degrees C, is the endo-CpIr(PMe(3))(anti-eta(3)-CH(2)CHCFCF(2)CF(3))[B(ArF)(4)] diastereomer 9, along with a small amount of the exo-syn-isomer 8. Isomer 9 rearranges at -20 degrees C to its exo-anti isomer 7, and subsequently to the thermodynamically favored exo-syn-isomer 8, which has been isolated and crystallographically characterized. Complex 8 reacts with iodide to afford complex6. On the basis of the unambiguously defined kinetically controlled stereochemistry of 9 and 8, a detailed mechanism for the C-F activation/C-C coupling reaction is proposed, the principal conclusion of which is that C-F activation is completely diastereoselective.     

Ethylene addition to group-6 transition metal oxo complexes - A theoretical study

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory (B3LYP) were carried out to elucidate the reaction pathways for ethylene addition to the chromium and molybdenum complexes CrO(CH₃)₂(CH₂) (Cr1) and MoO(CH₃)₂(CH₂) (Mo1). The results are compared with previously published results of the analogous tungsten system WO(CH₃)₂(CH₂) (W1). The comparison of the group-6 elements shows that the molybdenum and tungsten compounds Mo1 and W1 have a similar reactivity while the chromium compound has a more complex reactivity pattern. The kinetically most favorable reaction pathway for ethylene addition to Mo1 is the [2+2]_Mo,C addition across the MoCH₂ double bond which has an activation barrier of only 8.4 kcal/mol. The reaction is slightly exothermic with ΔE_R = −0.6 kcal/mol. The [2+2]_Mo,O addition across the MoO double bond and the [3+2]_C,O addition have much higher barriers and are strongly endothermic. The thermodynamically mostly favored reaction is the [1+2]_Mo addition of ethylene to the metal atom which takes place after prior rearrangement of the Mo(VI) compound Mo1 to the Mo(IV) isomer Mo1g. The reaction is −19.2 kcal/mol exothermic but it has a large barrier of 34.5 kcal/mol. The kinetically and thermodynamically most favorable reaction pathway for ethylene addition to the chromium homologue Cr1 is the multiple-step process with initial rearrangements Cr1 → Cr1c → Cr1g which are followed by a [1+2]_Cr addition yielding an ethylene π complex Cr1g + C₂H₄ → Cr1g-1. The highest barrier comes from the first step Cr1 → Cr1c which has an activation energy of 14.2 kcal/mol. The overall reaction is exothermic by −26.3 kcal/mol.     

Kinetics and mechanism of N2 hydrogenation in bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium complexes and dinitrogen functionalization by 1,2-addition of a saturated C-H bond

The rates of hydrogenation of the N2 ligand in the side-on bound dinitrogen compounds, [(eta(5)-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) and [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2-Me2-4-R)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) (R = Me, Ph), to afford the corresponding hydrido zirconocene diazenido complexes have been measured by electronic spectroscopy. Determination of the rate law for the hydrogenation of [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) establishes an overall second-order reaction, first order with respect to each reagent. These data, in combination with a normal, primary kinetic isotope effect of 2.2(1) for H2 versus D2 addition, establish the first H2 addition as the rate-determining step in N2 hydrogenation. Kinetic isotope effects of similar direction and magnitude have also been measured for hydrogenation (deuteration) of the two other zirconocene dinitrogen complexes. Measuring the rate constants for the hydrogenation of [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) over a 40 degrees C temperature range provided activation parameters of deltaH(double dagger) = 8.4(8) kcal/mol and deltaS(double dagger) = -33(4) eu. The entropy of activation is consistent with an ordered four-centered transition structure, where H2 undergoes formal 1,2-addition to a zirconium-nitrogen bond with considerable multiple bond character. Support for this hypothesis stems from the observation of N2 functionalization by C-H activation of a cyclopentadienyl methyl substituent in the mixed ring dinitrogen complexes, [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2-Me2-4-R)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) (R = Me, Ph), to afford cyclometalated zirconocene diazenido derivatives.     

An electronic perspective on the reduction of an n=n double bond at a conserved dimolybdenum core

Density functional theory has been used to assess the role of the bimetallic core in supporting reductive cleavage of the N=N double bond in [Cp2Mo2(mu-SMe)3(mu-eta1:eta1-HN=NPh)]+. The HOMO of the complex, the Mo-Mo delta orbital, plays a key role as a source of high-energy electrons, available for transfer into the vacant orbitals of the N=N unit. As a result, the metal centres cycle between the Mo(III) and Mo(IV) oxidation states. The symmetry of the Mo-Mo delta "buffer" orbital has a profound influence on the reaction pathway, because significant overlap with the redox-active orbital on the N=N unit (pi* or sigma*) is required for efficient electron transfer. The orthogonality of the Mo-Mo delta and N-N sigma* orbitals in the eta1:eta1 coordination mode ensures that electron transfer into the N-N sigma bond is effectively blocked, and a rate-limiting eta1:eta1-->eta1 rearrangement is a necessary precursor to cleavage of the bond.     

C-H and P-C(Ph) activation competitive processes caused by interaction with the solvate [cis-Pt(C6F5)2(thf)2

The study of the reaction between the ethylene [Pt(eta-H2C = CH2)(PPh3)2] or alkyne [Pt(eta2-HC [triple bond] CR)(PPh3)2] (R = SiMe3 1, Bu(t) 2) complexes with [cis-Pt(C6F5)2(thf)2] (thf = tetrahydrofuran) has enabled us to observe the existence of competitive processes between the activation of a P-C(Ph) bond on the PPh3 ligand, to give the binuclear derivative [cis-(C6F5)2Pt(mu-Ph)(mu-PPh2)Pt(PPh3)] 3, and the activation of a C-H bond of the unsaturated group, to give the corresponding (mu-hydride)(mu-vinyl) [cis, cis-(PPh3)2Pt(mu-H)(mu-1kappaC(alpha):eta2-CH = CH2)Pt(C6F5)2] 4 or (mu-hydride)(mu-alkynyl) [cis,cis-(PPh3)2Pt(mu-H)(mu-1kappaC(alpha):eta2-C [triple bond]CR)Pt(C6F5)2] (R = SiMe3 5, Bu(t) 6) compounds, respectively. The monitoring of these reactions by NMR spectroscopy has allowed us to detect several intermediates, and to propose a mechanism for the C-H bond activation. In addition, the structures of the (muo-hydride)(mu-alkynyl) complex 5 and the unprecedented (mu-hydride)(mu-vinyl) derivative 4 have been obtained by X-ray crystallographic analyses.