Synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UMe, (C5Me5)2(C5H5)UMe, and (C5Me5)2UMe[CH(SiMe3)2] from cationic metallocenes for the evaluation of sterically induced reduction

To probe the correlation of unusual (C5Me5)(1-) reactivity with steric crowding in complexes such as (C5Me5)3UMe and (C5Me5)3UCl, slightly less crowded (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UX analogues (X = Me, Cl) were synthesized and their reactivity was evaluated. The utility of the cationic precursors [(C5Me5)2UMe](1+), 1, and [(C5Me5)2UCl](1+), 2, in the synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UMe, 3, and (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UCl, 4, was also explored. Since the use of precursor [(C5Me5)2UMe][MeBPh3], 1a, is complicated by the equilibrium between 1a and (C5Me5)2UMe2/BPh3, the reactivity of [(C5Me5)2UMe(OTf)]2, 1b, (OTf = O3SCF3) prepared from (C5Me5)2UMe2 and AgOTf, was also studied. Both 1a and 1b react with KC5Me4H to form 3. Complex 4 readily forms by addition of KC5Me4H to [(C5Me5)2UCl][MeBPh3], generated in situ from (C5Me5)2UMeCl and BPh3. Complex 1b was preferred to 1a for the synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5H5)UMe, 5, and (C5Me5)2UMe[CH(SiMe3)2], 6, from KC5H5 and LiCH(SiMe3)2, respectively. Complex 6 is the first example of a mixed alkyl uranium metallocene complex. Sterically induced reduction (SIR) reactivity was not observed with 3-6 although the methyl displacements from the (C5Me5)(1-) ring plane for 3 are the closest observed to date to those of SIR-active complexes. The (1)H NMR spectra of 3 and 4 are unusual in that all of the (C5Me4H)(1-) methyl groups are inequivalent. This structural rigidity is consistent with density-functional theory calculations.     

The crystal structures of (p-ClPh)3PO and (p-OMePh)3PO, including an analysis of the P-O bond in triarylphosphine oxides

The crystal structures of the compounds tris(para-chlorophenyl)phosphine oxide {(p-ClPh)₃PO} and tris(para-methoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide {(p-OMePh)₃PO} were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. (p-ClPh)₃PO crystallizes in the space group P-1 (no. 2) with a = 11.828(2), b = 12.645(2), c = 14.072(2) Å, = 97.90(1), = 109.45(1), = 115.43(1), V = 1692.3(2) ų and Z = 4. The mean O–P and C–P distances are 1.481(6) and 1.806(2) Å, respectively, and the mean C–P–C angle is 106.5(1.1). (p-OMePh)₃PO crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c (no. 14) with a = 18.8642 (10), b = 10.3999(5), c = 21.3462(16) Å, = 115.414(6)°, V= 3782.6(4) ų, and Z = 8. The mean O–P and C–P distances are 1.484(5) and 1.798(4) Å, respectively, and the mean C–P–C angle is 106.5(1.0). These two structures were analyzed along with the previously determined structures of triphenylphosphine oxide {Ph₃PO} and tri-p-tolylphosphine oxide {(p-MePh)₃PO}, and IR data were collected on all four compounds. Both the observed P–O distances and the IR stretching frequencies for these triarylphosphine oxides support the interpretation of the P–O bond as having substantial multiple-bond character, with a bond order between 1.7 and 1.8. The para-substituents on these triarylphosphines were shown to have a statistically insignificant effect on the P–O bond.     

Insights into the Mechanism of Reaction of [(C5Me5)2SmII(thf)2] with CO2 and COS by DFT Studies

Reaction mechanisms for the oxidative reactions of CO₂ and COS with [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm] have been investigated by means of DFT methods. The experimental formation of oxalate and dithiocarbonate complexes is explained. Their formation involve the samarium(III) bimetallic complexes [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐CO₂‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] and [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐COS‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] as intermediates, respectively, ruling out radical coupling for the formation of the oxalate complex.     

Stable isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen to distinguish olive oil from shark squalene‐squalane

Squalene and its hydrogenated derivate squalane are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. The two compounds are mainly produced from the liver oil of deep sea sharks and from olive oil distillates. Squalene and squalane from shark cost less than the same compounds derived from olive oil, and the use of these shark‐derived compounds is unethical in cosmetic formulations. In this work we investigate whether ¹³C/¹²C and ²H/¹H ratios can distinguish olive oil from shark squalene/squalane and can detect the presence of shark derivates in olive oil based products. The ¹³C/¹²C ratios (expressed as δ¹³C values) of bulk samples and of pure compounds measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) were significantly lower in authentic olive oil squalene/squalane (N: 13; ?28.4 ± 0.5‰; ?28.3 ± 0.8‰) than in shark squalene/squalane samples (N: 15; ?20.5 ± 0.7‰; ?20.4 ± 0.6‰). By defining δ¹³C threshold values of ?27.4‰ and ?26.6‰ for olive oil bulk and pure squalene/squalane, respectively, illegal addition of shark products can be identified starting from a minimum of 10%. ²H/¹H analysis is not useful for distinguishing the two different origins. δ¹³C analysis is proposed as a suitable tool for detecting the authenticity of commercial olive oil squalene and squalane samples, using IRMS interfaced to an elemental analyser if the purity is higher than 80% and IRMS interfaced to a gas chromatography/combustion system for samples with lower purity, including solutions of squalane extracted from cosmetic products. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of a neutral titanium tris(iminosemiquinone) complex featuring redox-active ligands

The neutral tris(semiquinonate) complex [Ti(dmp-BIAN(isq))(3)] [dmp-BIAN(isq) = N,N'-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylimino)acenaphthenesemiquinonate] was structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically characterized. Solid-state magnetism experiments reveal field-quenchable, enhanced temperature-independent paramagnetism (TIP). Density functional theory calculations employing the experimental geometry predicts a strong antiferromagnetic coupling, leading to an S = 0 ground state, but they also hint at spin frustration and concomitant close-lying, excited states, which cause the observed large TIP by admixture into the ground state. The dmp-BIAN(isq) ligand, which facilitates intramolecular electron transfer, was shown to undergo four quasi-reversible redox processes, demonstrating the ability of the ligand to act as an electron reservoir in complexes of early metals.     

Varying the Lewis base coordination of the Y2N2 core in the reduced dinitrogen complexes {[(Me3Si)2N]2(L)Y}2(μ-η2:η2-N2) (L = benzonitrile, pyridines, triphenylphosphine oxide, and trimethylamine N-oxide)

The effect of the neutral donor ligand, L, on the Ln(2)N(2) core in the (N═N)(2-) complexes, [A(2)(L)Ln](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (Ln = Sc, Y, lanthanide; A = monoanion; L = neutral ligand), is unknown since all of the crystallographically characterized examples were obtained with L = tetrahydrofuran (THF). To explore variation in L, displacement reactions between {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)), 1, and benzonitrile, pyridine (py), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), triphenylphosphine oxide, and trimethylamine N-oxide were investigated. THF is displaced by all of these ligands to form {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(L)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) complexes (L = PhCN, 2; py, 3; DMAP, 4; Ph(3)PO, 5; Me(3)NO, 6) that were fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, density functional theory, and X-ray crystallographic methods. The crystal structures of the Y(2)N(2) cores in 2-5 are similar to that in 1 with N-N bond distances between 1.255(3) ? and 1.274(3) ?, but X-ray analysis of the N-N distance in 6 shows it to be shorter: 1.198(3) ?.     

Synthesis, structure, and physical properties for a series of trigonal bipyramidal M(II)-Cl complexes with intramolecular hydrogen bonds

A series of transition metal chloro complexes with the tetradentate tripodal tris(2-amino-oxazoline)amine ligand (TAO) have been synthesized and characterized. X-Ray structural analyses of these compounds demonstrate the formation of the mononuclear complexes [M(II)(TAO)(Cl)](+), where M(II) = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn. These complexes exhibit distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, coordinating the metal through an apical tertiary amine, three equatorial imino nitrogen atoms, and an axial chloride anion. All the complexes possess an intramolecular hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) network within the cavity occupied by the metal-bound chloride ion. The metal-chloride bond distances are atypically long, which is attributed to the effects of the H-bonding network. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the Zn complex suggests that the solid-state structures are representative of that observed in solution, and that the H-bonding interactions persist as well. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to probe the electronic structures of the complexes.     

Preparation and structures of dinuclear complexes containing M(II)-OH centers

The synthesis of M(II)(2) complexes (M(II)=Co, Mn) with terminal hydroxo ligands has been achieved utilizing a dinucleating ligand containing a bridging pyrazolate unit and appended (neopentyl)aminopyridyl groups. Structural studies on the complexes revealed that the M(II)-OH units are positioned in a syn-configuration, placing the hydroxo ligands in close proximity (ca. 3 ? apart), which may be a prerequisite for water oxidation.