How does product isotope effect prove the operation of a two-state "rebound" mechanism in C-H hydroxylation by cytochrome P450?

C-H hydroxylation is a fundamental process. In Nature it is catalyzed by the enzyme cytochrome P450, in a still-debated mechanism that poses a major intellectual challenge for both experiment and theory; currently, the opinions keep swaying between the original single-state rebound mechanism, a two-oxidant mechanism (where ferric peroxide participates as a second oxidant, in addition to the primary active species, the high-valent iron-oxo species), and two-state reactivity (TSR) mechanism (where two spin states are involved). Recent product isotope effect (PIE) measurements for the trans-2-phenyl-methyl cyclopropane probe (1), led Newcomb and co-workers (Newcomb, M.; Aebisher, D.; Shen, R.; Esala, R.; Chandrasena, P.; Hollenberg, P.; Coon, M. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 6064-6065) to rule out TSR in favor of the two-oxidant scenario, since the direction of the PIE was at odds with the one predicted from calculations on methane hydroxylation. The present report describes a density functional theoretical study of C-H hydroxylation of the Newcomb probe, 1, leading to rearranged (3) and unrearranged (2) products. Our study shows that the reaction occurs via TSR in which the high-spin pathway gives dominant rearranged products, whereas the low-spin pathway favors unrearranged products. The calculated PIE(2/3) values based on TSR are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data of Newcomb and co-workers. This match between experiment and theory makes a strong case that the reaction occurs via TSR mechanism.     

Inorganic reaction mechanisms. vol. 4 (A chemical society specialist report) : A. McAuley,Senior reporter,The Chemcial Society,London, 1976, xviii + 398 pages, £ 23.00, $63.25.

The palladium(I) and platinum(I) complexes [(CH₃NC)₆M₂]²⁺ undergo substitution reactions with isocyanides, phosphines and halide or pseudohalide ions. With triphenylphosphine, axial substitution is preferred. The product [(CH₃NC)₅(Ph₃P)Pd₂]²⁺ is fluxional.     

Uranium (III) scorpionates: synthesis and structure of [(TpMe2)2U[N(C6H5)2]] and [(TpMe2)2U[N(SiMe3)2]

Reaction of [(Tp(Me)2)(2)UI] with KNR(2) (R = C(6)H(5), SiMe(3)) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric trivalent actinide amide complexes [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(C(6)H(5))(2)]], 1, and [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(SiMe(3))(2)]], 2. The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state 1 and 2 exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries. The U-NR(2) bond lengths in both complexes are the same but in complex 2 the greater steric demands of the N(SiMe(3))(2) ligand led to elongated U-N(pz) bonds, especially those opposite the amido ligand.     

Conditional solubility versus pO2− of cerium(III) oxide in molten equimolar NaCl+KCl at 727°C

Reactions between cerium trichloride and oxide ions were studied in NaCl+KCl (1/1) at 1000°K, by potentiometry with a calcia-stabilized zirconia membrane electrode. Titration curves clearly demonstrated the existence of soluble cerium oxychloride (CeO⁺) and precipitated cerium oxide (Ce₂O₃), with respective dissociation constants 10^?11 and 10^?30 (molality scale). The corresponding conditional solubility diagram {log S (Ce^III)=f(pO^2?)} is presented and discussed.     

Composés sulfurés hétérocycliques. CII. Action de l'hydroxylamine sur les dihydro-1,2 benzothiazine-3,1 thiones-4

Hydroxylamine reacts with 1-alkyl-1,2-dihydro-3,1-benzothiazine-4thiones ( 1 ), giving 1-alky1-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 2 ). The same reagent, in neutral medium, converts 1-aryl-1,2-dihydro-3,1-benzothiazine-4-thiones ( 3 ) into 1-aryl-4-hydroxyimino-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-benzothiazines ( 4 ). In acidic medium, the same starting materials lead to 1-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-3-dihydro-1H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 5 ). genrally with some quantity of the isomer 4 . Thiones 2 and 5 , as well as oximes 4 , heated at 200°, decomopose, yielding, in varying proportions, 1H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 6 or 7 ), 1H-quinazoline-4-ones ( 9 ) and 2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 11 ). Reacting with methyliodide, 1H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 7 ) give 4-methylthioquinazolin-1-ium iodidies ( 12 ) which can be hydrolysed into 1H-quinazolin-4-ones ( 9 ). The latter are also obtained by reacting benzonitrile N-oxide with the corresponding thiones. 1-Aryl-1 H-quinazoline-4-thiones ( 7 ) react readily with nitrogen nucleophiles XNH₂ to give 1-aryl-4-imino-1,4-dihydro-quinazolines diversely substituted on the imino group. While thiones 7 are S- methylated by methyl iodide, the corresponding 1-aryl-1H-quinazolin-4-ones (9), with the same reagent, ungergo a N-methylation, yielding 1-aryl-3-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-l-ium iodides ( 18 ). Structure have been confirmed by uv, ir and nmr spectra.     

Mechanism of Formation of Peroxocarbonates RhOOC(O)O(Cl)(P)(3) and Their Reactivity as Oxygen Transfer Agents Mimicking Monooxygenases. The First Evidence of CO(2) Insertion into the O-O Bond of Rh(eta(2)-O(2)) Complexes

Extended labeling experiments have shown that formation of rhodium peroxocarbonate from CO(2) and [RhCl(eta(2)-O(2))(P)(3)] (P is PEt(2)Ph or PEtPh(2)) proceeds through O-O bond cleavage and CO(2) insertion. O-transfer to ancillary phosphine ligand to give R(3)P=O selectively (>85%) involves the Rh-linked O atom of the peroxo group of RhCl(CO(4))(P)(3).     

Structure ofp-tetrakis-(4-nitrophenylazo)calix[4]-arene-4-picoline (1∶4) complex

The structure of thep-tetrakis-(4-nitrophenylazo)calix[4]arene-4-picoline (14) complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystals are monoclinic, space groupC2/c,a=24.9097) Å,b=8.425(6) Å,c=33.81(1) Å, =101.13(2)°,D _c =1.330 g/cm³,Z=4, finalR value =0.067. The cone conformation adopted by this azocalixarene is disturbed by the positions of the picoline molecules. Two of them are inside the macorocycle cavity and the two others are outside. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. Sup. 82190 (32 pages).     

Optical microscopy to study single nanoparticles electrochemistry: From reaction to motion

Nanoparticles (NPs)-based electrochemical devices are generating a growing interest and optical microscopy has recently proven to be a powerful tool to apprehend their electrochemical behavior. Through several striking examples, this review demonstrates how label-free optical imaging coupled to an electrochemical actuation can be used to probe operando the physical and electrochemical properties of single NPs, with high resolution and sensitivity and without additional emitters. Such an approach can be particularly relevant to establish clear structure-motion/reactivity relationships required to optimize NPs exploited as electrode materials.     

Porphyrins and Polyoxometalate Scaffolds

Polyoxometalates (POMs) can act as unique reservoirs for multiple electron transfers. As POMs display only weak absorption in the visible spectrum, they can be associated with chromophores such as porphyrins and porphyrin antennae. In this Minireview, the research dedicated to the combination of porphyrins and polyoxometalates is put in context and the state of the art identifying the challenges addressed in the optimization of hybrid materials for applications is detailed.     

Divergent Synthesis of Molecular Winch Prototypes

We report the synthesis of conceptually new prototypes of molecular winches with the ultimate aim to investigate the work performed by a single ruthenium-based molecular motor anchored on a surface by probing its ability to pull a load upon electrically-driven directional rotation. According to a technomimetic design, the motor was embedded in a winch structure, with a long flexible polyethylene glycol chain terminated by an azide hook to connect a variety of molecular loads. The structure of the motor was first derivatized by means of two sequential cross-coupling reactions involving a penta(4-halogenophenyl)cyclopentadienyl hydrotris(indazolyl)borate ruthenium(II) precursor and the resulting benzylamine derivative was next exploited as key intermediate in the divergent synthesis of a family of nanowinch prototypes. A one-pot method involving sequential peptide coupling and Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition was developed to yield four loaded nanowinches, with load fragments encompassing triptycene, fullerene and porphyrin moieties.