Relative importance of X...O=C vs. X...X halogen bonding as structural determinants in 4-halotriaroylbenzenes

The structures of 4-chloro- and 4-bromotribenzoylbenzene, as well as a solid solution prepared from these two components, are isomorphous and dominated by C-X...O=C interactions, whereas type-II I...I interactions are important in the 4-iodo derivative.     

Structural snapshots of a flexible Cu2P2 core that accommodates the oxidation states Cu(I)Cu(I), Cu1.5Cu1.5, and Cu(II)Cu(II)

The phosphido-bridged dicopper(I) complex {(PPP)Cu}2 has been synthesized and structurally characterized ([PPP]- = bis(2-di-iso-propylphosphinophenyl)phosphide). Cyclic voltammetry of {(PPP)Cu}2 in THF shows fully reversible oxidations at -1.02 V (Cu1.5Cu1.5/CuICuI) and -0.423 V (CuIICuII/Cu1.5Cu1.5). Chemical oxidation of {(PPP)Cu}2 by one electron yields the class III mixed-valence species [{(PPP)Cu}2]+ (EPR, UV-vis). Structural data establish an unexpectedly large change (0.538 A) in the Cu...Cu distance upon oxidation state. Oxidation of {(PPP)Cu}2 by two electrons yields the dication [{(PPP)Cu}2]2+, an antiferromagnetically coupled dicopper(II) complex. Maintenance of a pseudotetrahedral geometry that is midway between a square plane and an ideal tetrahedron at the copper centers, along with a high degree of flexibility at the phosphide hinges, allows for efficient access to CuICuI, Cu1.5Cu1.5, and CuIICuII redox states without the need for ligand exchange, substitution, or redistribution processes.     

Preparation and characterization of aromatic copolyesters containing the o,o′-biphenylene ring system

Poly[oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyisophthaloyl-b-oxy(2-methyl-1,3-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] I, poly[oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl-b-oxy(2-methyl-1,3-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] II, poly(oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyisophthaloyl-b-oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl) III, poly[oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl-b-oxy(2-methyl-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] IV, poly[oxy2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl-b-oxy(2-chloro-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] V, poly[oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl-co-oxy(2-chloro-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] VI, and poly[oxy-2,2′-diphenyleneoxyterephthaloyl-co-oxy(2-methyl-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl] VII have been synthesized and characterized. Random copolyester VI appears to form a birefringent fluid phase above the melting temperature.     

Zn(OTf)2 catalyzed addition-cyclization reaction of allenylphosphine oxides with propargyl alcohol-unexpected formation of 2,5-dimethylenetetrahydrofurans and 2-substituted furans

A novel synthesis of 2,5-dimethylenetetrahydrofurans, 2-substituted furans and a β,ω-diketophosphonate in good to excellent yields has been achieved by the reaction of allenylphosphine oxides/allenylphosphonate with propargyl alcohol using zinc triflate/triethylamine combination.     

Two metals are better than one in the gold catalyzed oxidative heteroarylation of alkenes

We present a detailed study of the mechanism for oxidative heteroarylation, based on DFT calculations and experimental observations. We propose binuclear Au(II)-Au(II) complexes to be key intermediates in the mechanism for gold catalyzed oxidative heteroarylation. The reaction is thought to proceed via a gold redox cycle involving initial oxidation of Au(I) to binuclear Au(II)-Au(II) complexes by Selectfluor, followed by heteroauration and reductive elimination. While it is tempting to invoke a transmetalation/reductive elimination mechanism similar to that proposed for other transition metal complexes, experimental and DFT studies suggest that the key C-C bond forming reaction occurs via a bimolecular reductive elimination process (devoid of transmetalation). In addition, the stereochemistry of the elimination step was determined experimentally to proceed with complete retention. Ligand and halide effects played an important role in the development and optimization of the catalyst; our data provides an explanation for the ligand effects observed experimentally, useful for future catalyst development. Cyclic voltammetry data is presented that supports redox synergy of the Au···Au aurophilic interaction. The monometallic reductive elimination from mononuclear Au(III) complexes is also studied from which we can predict a ~15 kcal/mol advantage for bimetallic reductive elimination.     

Diazoalkanes react with a bis(phosphino)borate copper(i) source to generate [Ph2BP(tBu)2]Cu(eta1-N2CR2), [Ph2BP(tBu)2]Cu(CPh2), and [Ph2BP(tBu)2]Cu-N(CPh2)(NCPh2)

[Ph2BP(tBu)2]Cu-L complexes react with diazoalkanes to generate structurally unusual eta1-diazoalkane adducts, a terminal carbene, and an eta1-azine adduct.     

Selectivity Effects in Bimetallic Catalysis

An emerging area of homogeneous catalysis is the use of catalysts featuring two closely associated metal sites. This approach complements the traditional focus on single‐site catalysts and makes available new parameters with which to optimize catalytic behavior. Single‐site catalysts are optimized through changing 1) the identity of the metal, and 2) the steric and electronic properties of the ligands. Bimetallic catalysts introduce new optimization parameters such as 3) catalyst nuclearity (mononuclear vs. binuclear), and 4) bimetallic pairing (relative compatibility of two metal sites). In order to harness these new optimization parameters in developing systems, it is necessary to first understand the origin of bimetallic selectivity effects that already have been documented. This Concept article highlights bimetallic effects on the chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselectivity of catalytic transformations, using selected case studies from the recent literature as illustrative examples.     

Quantum Heat Engines with Complex Working Media,Complete Otto Cycles and Heuristics

Quantum thermal machines make use of non-classical thermodynamic resources, one of which include interactions between elements of the quantum working medium. In this paper, we examine the performance of a quasi-static quantum Otto engine based on two spins of arbitrary magnitudes subject to an external magnetic field and coupled via an isotropic Heisenberg exchange interaction. It has been shown earlier that the said interaction provides an enhancement of cycle efficiency, with an upper bound that is tighter than the Carnot efficiency. However, the necessary conditions governing engine performance and the relevant upper bound for efficiency are unknown for the general case of arbitrary spin magnitudes. By analyzing extreme case scenarios, we formulate heuristics to infer the necessary conditions for an engine with uncoupled as well as coupled spin model. These conditions lead us to a connection between performance of quantum heat engines and the notion of majorization. Furthermore, the study of complete Otto cycles inherent in the average cycle also yields interesting insights into the average performance.     

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of pyrrole anions with aryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides

[reaction: see text] A general method for the conversion of pyrrole anions to 2-arylpyrroles has been developed. Using a palladium precatalyst and sterically demanding 2-(dialkylphosphino)biphenyl ligands, (pyrrolyl)zinc chloride may be cross-coupled with a wide range of aryl halides, including aryl chlorides and aryl bromides, at low catalyst loadings and under mild conditions. A high degree of steric hindrance is tolerated. Certain ring-substituted pyrrole anions have also been arylated with aryl bromide substrates.     

NMR Relaxivities of Paramagnetic Lanthanide-Containing Polyoxometalates

The current trend for ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies opens up new routes in clinical diagnostic imaging as well as in material imaging applications. MRI selectivity is further improved by using contrast agents (CAs), which enhance the image contrast and improve specificity by the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) mechanism. Generally, the efficacy of a CA at a given magnetic field is measured by its longitudinal and transverse relaxivities r₁ and r₂, i.e., the longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates T₁⁻¹ and T₂⁻¹ normalized to CA concentration. However, even though basic NMR sensitivity and resolution become better in stronger fields, r₁ of classic CA generally decreases, which often causes a reduction of the image contrast. In this regard, there is a growing interest in the development of new contrast agents that would be suitable to work at higher magnetic fields. One of the strategies to increase imaging contrast at high magnetic field is to inspect other paramagnetic ions than the commonly used Gd(III)-based CAs. For lanthanides, the magnetic moment can be higher than that of the isotropic Gd(III) ion. In addition, the symmetry of electronic ground state influences the PRE properties of a compound apart from diverse correlation times. In this work, PRE of water ¹H has been investigated over a wide range of magnetic fields for aqueous solutions of the lanthanide containing polyoxometalates [Dy^III(H₂O)₄GeW₁₁O₃₉]^5– (Dy-W₁₁), [Er^III(H₂O)₃GeW₁₁O₃₉]^5– (Er-W₁₁) and [{Er^III(H₂O)(CH₃COO)(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)}₂]¹⁶⁻ (Er₂-W₃₄) over a wide range of frequencies from 20 MHz to 1.4 GHz. Their relaxivities r₁ and r₂ increase with increasing applied fields. These results indicate that the three chosen POM systems are potential candidates for contrast agents, especially at high magnetic fields.