A redox series of aluminum complexes: characterization of four oxidation states including a ligand biradical state stabilized via exchange coupling

Electrophilic activation and subsequent reduction of substrates is in general not possible because highly Lewis acidic metals lack access to multiple redox states. Herein, we demonstrate that transition metal-like redox processes and electronic structure and magnetic properties can be imparted to aluminum(III). Bis(iminopyridine) complexes containing neutral, monoanionic, and dianionic iminopyridine ligands (IP) have been characterized structurally and electronically; yellow (IP)AlCl(3) (1), deep green (IP(-))(2)AlCl (2) and (IP(-))(2)Al(CF(3)SO(3)) (3), and deep purple [(IP(2-))Al](-) (5) are presented. The mixed-valent, monoradical complex (IP(-))(IP(2-))Al is unstable toward C-C coupling, and [(IP(2-))Al](2-)(μ-IP-IP)(2-) (4) has been isolated. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and EPR spectroscopy measurements indicate that the biradical character of the ligand-based triplet in 2 is stabilized by strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling mediated by aluminum(III): J = -230 cm(-1) for ? = -2J(?(L(1))·?(L(2))). Coordination geometry-dependent (IP(-))-(IP(-)) communication through aluminum(III) is observed electrochemically. The cyclic voltammogram of trigonal bipyramidal 2 displays successive ligand-based oxidation events for the two IP(1-/0) processes, at -0.86 and -1.20 V vs SCE. The 0.34 V spacing between redox couples corresponds to a conproportionation constant of K(c) = 10(5.8) for the process (IP(-))(2)AlCl + (IP)(2)AlCl → 2(IP(-))(IP)AlCl consistent with Robin and Day Class II mixed-valent behavior. Tetrahedral 5 displays localized, Class I behavior as indicated by closely spaced redox couples. Furthermore, CV's of 2 and 5 indicate that changes in the coordination environment of the aluminum center shift the potentials for the IP(1-/0) and IP(2-/1-) redox couples by up to 0.9 V.     

Fe L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of low-spin heme relative to non-heme Fe complexes: delocalization of Fe d-electrons into the porphyrin ligand

Hemes (iron porphyrins) are involved in a range of functions in biology, including electron transfer, small-molecule binding and transport, and O2 activation. The delocalization of the Fe d-electrons into the porphyrin ring and its effect on the redox chemistry and reactivity of these systems has been difficult to study by optical spectroscopies due to the dominant porphyrin pi-->pi(*) transitions, which obscure the metal center. Recently, we have developed a methodology that allows for the interpretation of the multiplet structure of Fe L-edges in terms of differential orbital covalency (i.e., differences in mixing of the d-orbitals with ligand orbitals) using a valence bond configuration interaction (VBCI) model. Applied to low-spin heme systems, this methodology allows experimental determination of the delocalization of the Fe d-electrons into the porphyrin (P) ring in terms of both P-->Fe sigma and pi-donation and Fe-->P pi back-bonding. We find that pi-donation to Fe(III) is much larger than pi back-bonding from Fe(II), indicating that a hole superexchange pathway dominates electron transfer. The implications of the results are also discussed in terms of the differences between heme and non-heme oxygen activation chemistry.     

Solid-state (55)Mn NMR spectroscopy of bis(μ-oxo)dimanganese(IV) [Mn(2)O(2)(salpn)(2)], a model for the oxygen evolving complex in photosystem II

We have examined the antiferromagneticly coupled bis(μ-oxo)dimanganese(IV) complex [Mn(2)O(2)(salpn)(2)] (1) with (55)Mn solid-state NMR at cryogenic temperatures and first-principle theory. The extracted values of the (55)Mn quadrupole coupling constant, C(Q), and its asymmetry parameter, η(Q), for 1 are 24.7 MHz and 0.43, respectively. Further, there was a large anisotropic contribution to the shielding of each Mn(4+), i.e. a Δσ of 3375 ppm. Utilizing broken symmetry density functional theory, the predicted values of the electric field gradient (EFG) or equivalently the C(Q) and η(Q) at ZORA, PBE QZ4P all electron level of theory are 23.4 MHz and 0.68, respectively, in good agreement with experimental observations.     

Bis(μ-oxo) dicopper(III) species of the simplest peralkylated diamine: enhanced reactivity toward exogenous substrates

N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMED), the simplest and most extensively used peralkylated diamine ligand, is conspicuously absent from those known to form a bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) (O) species, [(TMED)(2)Cu(III)(2)(μ(2)-O)(2)](2+), upon oxygenation of its Cu(I) complex. Presented here is the characterization of this O species and its reactivity toward exogenous substrates. Its formation is complicated both by the instability of the [(TMED)Cu(I)](1+) precursor and by competitive formation of a presumed mixed-valent trinuclear [(TMED)(3)Cu(III)Cu(II)(2)(μ(3)-O)(2)](3+) (T) species. Under most reaction conditions, the T species dominates, yet, the O species can be formed preferentially (>80%) upon oxygenation of acetone solutions, if the copper concentration is low (<2 mM) and [(TMED)Cu(I)](1+) is prepared immediately before use. The experimental data of this simplest O species provide a benchmark by which to evaluate density functional theory (DFT) computational methods for geometry optimization and spectroscopic predictions. The enhanced thermal stability of [(TMED)(2)Cu(III)(2)(μ(2)-O)(2)](2+) and its limited steric demands compared to other O species allows more efficient oxidation of exogenous substrates, including benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde (80% yield), highlighting the importance of ligand structure to not only enhance the oxidant stability but also maintain accessibility to the nascent metal/O(2) oxidant.     

A DNA-binding copper(I) metallosupramolecular cylinder that acts as an artificial nuclease

The DNA binding of a dicationic pyridylimine-based dicopper(I) metallosupramolecular cylinder is reported together with its ability to act as an artificial nuclease. The cylinder binds strongly to DNA; more strongly than the spherical dication [Ru(phen)(3)](2+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), but more weakly than the corresponding tetracationic cylinders. DNA coiling effects are not observed with this dication, in contrast to the situation with the previously reported tetracationic cylinder involving a similar ligand. Linear dichroism (LD) data suggests that the dicopper cylinder binds in a different orientation from that of the tetracationic iron cylinder. Furthermore, the dicopper cylinder shows DNA-cleavage activity in the presence of peroxide. Of particular note is that the cylinder displays a marked and unusual ability to cleave both DNA strands at the same site, probably reflecting its dinuclear nature and possibly its mode of binding to the DNA.     

Dioxygen reactivity of a copper(I) complex with a N3S thioether chelate; peroxo-dicopper(II) formation including sulfur-ligation

Employing a tetradentate N3S(thioether) ligand, LN3S, dioxygen reactivity of a copper(I) complex, [(LN3S)CuI]+ (1) was examined. In CH2Cl2, acetone (at -80 degrees C), or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (at -128 degrees C), 1 reacts with O2 producing the end-on bound peroxodicopper(II) complex [{(LN3S)CuII}2(mu-1,2-O2(2-))]2+ (2), the first reported copper-dioxygen adduct with sulfur (thioether) ligation. Its absorption spectrum contains an additional low-energy feature (but not a Cu-S CT band) compared to the previously well-characterized N4 ligand complex, [{(TMPA)CuII}2(mu-1,2-O2(2-))]2+ (3) (TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). Resonance Raman spectroscopy confirms the peroxo formulation {nu(O-O) = 817 cm-1 (16-18O2 Delta = 46 cm-1) and nu(Cu-O) = 545 cm-1 (16-18O2 Delta = 26 cm-1), in close analogy to that known for 3 {nu(O-O) = 827 cm-1 and nu(Cu-O) = 561 cm-1}. Direct evidence for thioether ligation comes from EXAFS spectroscopy {Cu K-edge; Cu-S = 2.4 A}.     

Robust heavy-traffic approximations for service systems facing overdispersed demand

Arrival processes to service systems often display fluctuations that are larger than anticipated under the Poisson assumption, a phenomenon that is referred to as overdispersion. Motivated by this, we analyze a class of discrete-time stochastic models for which we derive heavy-traffic approximations that are scalable in the system size. Subsequently, we show how this leads to novel capacity sizing rules that acknowledge the presence of overdispersion. This, in turn, leads to robust approximations for performance characteristics of systems that are of moderate size and/or may not operate in heavy traffic.     

Properties of magnetocaloric La(Fe,Co,Si)13 produced by powder metallurgy

We present a comprehensive study of the magnetocaloric materials series La(Fe_1−xCo_x)_11.9Si_1.1 with 0.055<x<0.122. The ferromagnetic samples were manufactured using a novel powder metallurgy process by which industrial scale production is feasible. This new production method makes the materials more attractive as magnetic refrigerants for room temperature magnetic refrigeration. The Curie temperature of the compounds can be easily tuned by altering the Co content and all samples have little magnetic anisotropy and present a second-order magnetic transition so that thermal and magnetic hysteresis is absent. For all seven samples, we have calculated the magnetic entropy change, ΔS_M, from initial curve measurements and measured the adiabatic temperature change, ΔT_ad, directly. In addition, for two of the samples, we determined the heat capacity as a function of applied magnetic field and the thermal conductivity. Where relevant, the results are compared with those of Gd, the benchmark material for room temperature magnetic refrigeration.     

Spin-coupled calculations based on projected spin eigenfunctions

It is outlined how the utilization of a basis of projected spin eigenfunctions can lead to increased computational efficiency in the evaluation of matrix elements and density matrices in spin-coupled valence bond calculations. Received: 17 September 1997 / Accepted: 23 October 1997