Energetics of the Preyssler anion's molecular orbitals: quantifying the effect of the encapsulated-cation's charge

The ground state electronic properties of metal-exchanged Preyssler heteropolyoxoanions [M(n+)P(5)W(30)O(110)](n-15), in which the encapsulated M(n+) ions are the spherical, diamagnetic ions Na(+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Y(3+), La(3+) and Th(4+), are studied using a combination of electrochemical, optical, and NMR experiments. We have designed experiments that focus on the influence of the charge (n) of the encapsulated cations, which themselves have no redox response, and its effect upon the W-O framework MOs. As n increases, the cluster anions accept electrons into their LUMOs with increasing ease, and their lowest-energy LMCT bands reveal a corresponding blue shift, which is indicative of an increase of the LUMO-HOMO energy splitting with increasing n. (183)W NMR spectra are used to identify the atomic origin of the LUMO states, which are shown to be composed primarily of orbitals from the ring of 5 W atoms near M(n+). The cation charge correlates directly and linearly with the half-wave potentials of the first redox couples, the LMCT band energies, and the W chemical shifts. We have combined this suite of experimental results to construct an energy level diagram of the frontier MOs for the Preyssler cluster anions. In so doing, we provide a fundamental perspective that is not otherwise available on the cation's role with specific regard to the electronic behavior of the W-O orbitals. These results are expected to provide benchmarking information as theorists begin to study these large POM systems.     

Observation of an unprecedented Cu Bis-His site: crystal structure of the H129V mutant of nitrite reductase

Copper nitrite reductases contain both an electron-transfer type 1 Cu site and a catalytic type 2 Cu site. We have mutated one of the type 2 copper ligating histidines to observe the effect on catalytic turnover. This mutation has created a unique site where Cu is ligated by 2 His Nepsilon2 atoms alone.     

Mechanistic studies of nickel(II) alkyl agostic cations and alkyl ethylene complexes: investigations of chain propagation and isomerization in (alpha-diimine)Ni(II)-catalyzed ethylene polymerization

The synthesis of a series of (alpha-diimine)NiR(2) (R = Et, (n)Pr) complexes via Grignard alkylation of the corresponding (alpha-diimine)NiBr(2) precursors is presented. Protonation of these species by the oxonium acid [H(OEt(2))(2)](+)[BAr'(4)](-) at low temperatures yields cationic Ni(II) beta-agostic alkyl complexes which model relevant intermediates present in nickel-catalyzed olefin polymerization reactions. The highly dynamic nature of these agostic alkyl cations is quantitatively addressed using NMR line broadening techniques. Trapping of these complexes with ethylene provides cationic Ni alkyl ethylene species, which are used to determine rates of ethylene insertion into primary and secondary carbon centers. The Ni agostic alkyl cations are also trapped by CH(3)CN and Me(2)S to yield Ni(R)(L)(+) (L = CH(3)CN, Me(2)S) complexes, and the dynamic behavior of these species in the presence of varied [L] is discussed. The kinetic data obtained from these experiments are used to present an overall picture of the ethylene polymerization mechanism for (alpha-diimine)Ni catalysts, including effects of reaction temperature and ethylene pressure on catalyst activity, polyethylene branching, and polymer architecture. Detailed comparisons of these systems to the previously presented analogous palladium catalysts are made.     

Surfactant displacement of human serum albumin adsorbed on loosely packed self-assembled monolayers: cetyltrimethylammonium bromide versus sodium dodecyl sulfate

The surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) displace human serum albumin (HSA) from loosely packed self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of hydrophobic alkyl chains by different means. Removal of HSA is of interest because previous work has suggested that the adsorption of HSA to such loosely packed SAMs may be sufficiently tenacious to offer opportunities for surface passivation. While HSA remains on the surface after exposure to SDS and rinsing, no protein remains after exposure to CTAB and rinsing. X-ray reflectivity and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that CTAB molecules remain interdigitated in the loosely packed SAM after rinsing, suggesting that CTAB is more effective in removing the HSA because it interacts more strongly with the SAM.     

The observation of a large gauche preference when 2-fluoroethylamine and 2-fluoroethanol become protonated

The energies of the gauche and anti conformers of 2-fluoroethylamine, 2-fluoroethanol and their protonated analogues are calculated using density functional theory. Unlike the non protonated systems, the protonated systems show a strong gauche effect where the C-F and the C-(+)NH(3) or C-F and C-(+)OH(2) bonds are gauche rather than anti to each other. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 2-fluoroethylammonium compounds identify the same conformational preference.     

Ligand-modulated stereo- and regioselective tandem addition reactions of rhenium-bound naphthalene

A series of complexes of the form TpRe(CO)(L)(eta(2)-naphthalene) (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) undergoes tandem electrophile/nucleophile addition reactions with a high degree of regiocontrol depending on the auxiliary ligand, L. When L = PMe(3), the reaction of the eta(2)-naphthalene complex with triflic acid followed by a silyl ketene acetal favors the 1,4-addition product, whereas when L = pyridine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, N-methylimidazole, or NH(3) the 1,2-addition product is favored. These reactions proceed with excellent stereocontrol: both electrophile (H(+), D(+)) and nucleophile (silyl ketene acetal) add anti to the face of metal coordination, and a single coordination diastereomer can be isolated for each reaction. One-electron oxidation of the Re complex affords the corresponding free dihydronaphthalene in good yield.     

Cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium and -osmium chemistry: XXVIII. Reactions and isomerisation of 1,2-bis(methoxycarbonyl)ethenyl complexes: X-ray structures of Ru{Z)-C(CO2Me)CH(CO2Me)} -(CO)(PPh3)(η-C5H5) · 0.5EtOH,Ru{(E)-C(CO2Me)CH(CO2Me)}(dppe)(η-C5H5) and Ru{C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)CH(CO2Me)} - (PPh3)(η-C5H5)

A reinvestigation of the reaction between C₂(CO₂Me)₂ and RuH(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) and some related complexes is reported. Initial cis addition is followed by conversion into the trans isomer. In the case of the bis-(PPh₃) complex, isomerisation is followed by chelation of the ester CO group with concomitant displacement of one PPh₃ligand. The resulting chelate complex reacts with CO or CNBu^t to give the (Z)-RuC(CO₂Me)CH(CO₂Me) complexes; the (E)-isomer of the carbonyl complex is obtained by addition of C₂(CO₂Me)₂to RuH(CO)(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅). The ^1Hand ¹³C NMR spectra are not a reliable guide to assignment of the stereochemistry of the vinyl group. Other products isolated from the initial reaction are the bis-insertion product $\text{Ru{C(CO}{}_2\text{Me)C(CO}{}_2\text{Me)C(CO}{}_2\text{Me)}$CH(CO₂Me)} -(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅) and the 1/2 PPh₃/C₂(CO₂Me)₂ adduct. The molecular structures of Ru{(Z)-C(CO₂Me)CH(CO₂Me)}(CO)(PPh₃(η-C₅H₅) · 0.5EtOH, Ru{(E)-C(C₂Me)CH(CO₂Me)}(dppe)(η-C₅H₅) and $\text{Ru{C(CO}{}_2\text{Me)C(CO}{}_2\text{Me)C(CO}{}_2\text{-Me)}$CH(CO₂Me)}(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅) have been determined. The cis isomer is monoclinic, space group P2₁,with a 9.328(8), b 17.385(10), c 10.356(7) Å, β 101.78(3)° and Z = 2; 2107 data with I ≥ 2.5σ(I) were refined to R = 0.076 R_w = 0.085. The trans isomer is triclinic, space group P$\text{1}$, with a 10.404(7) b 11.221(6), c 13.230(9) Å, α 92.67(5), β 110.56(5), γ 106.21(5)° and Z = 2; 2520 data with I ≥ 2.5σ(I) were refined to R = 0.055 R_w = 0.068. The butadienyl complex is monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, with a 19.655(8), b 8.674(4), c 21.060(5) Å, β 116.22(3)° and Z = 4; 2724 data with I ≥ 2.5σ(I) were refined to R = 0.042, R_w = 0.047.     

The preparation of 2,6-diaminopyrazine, 2,6-diazidopyrazine and some of their derivatives

A much improved synthesis of the heretofore difficultly obtainable 2,6-diaminopyrazine (4) was afforded by the low-pressure catalytic hydrogenation (palladium on carbon) of 2,6-diazido-pyrazine (2) ; reaction of 2,6-dichloropyrazine (1) and sodium azide gave 2 in 84% yield. The outcome of the reduction was found to be solvent dependent: 1,2-dimethoxyethane containing aqueous ammonia gave 4 in 83% yield; 1,2-dimethoxyethane alone gave 5-aminotetrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrazine (3) in 26% yield. Additional alternative syntheses of 3 and 4 are described. A number of acyl and azo derivatives of 4 were prepared. Reactions of 2 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and ethyl acetate (base catalyzed) leading to vic-triazole derivatives are also described.     

Conductometric study of cationic and anionic complexes in propylene carbonate

Conductivity data are used to determine thermodynamic complex formation constants for cases in which both the initial electrolyte and the complexed electrolyte form ion pairs. Using the method described in the text, the complex formation constants of Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ with the crown ether 18-crown-6 and of Li⁺ with the ligand triphenylphosphine oxide in propylene carbonate have been evaluated from conductance data. The complexation of AgBr in propylene carbonate solutions of n-etrabutylammonium bromide has also been studied by the measurement of molar conductivities. The results of these studies indicate that ion pairing should not be neglected, even in high permittivity solvents such as propylene carbonate, and that the ion pair association constants correlate well with structural studies on cation-crown ether molecular conformations.