Optimization of catalyst enantioselectivity and activity using achiral and meso ligands

The optimization of asymmetric catalysts for enantioselective synthesis has conventionally revolved around the synthesis and screening of enantiopure ligands. In contrast, we have optimized an asymmetric reaction by modification of a series of achiral ligands. Thus, employing (S)-3,3'-diphenyl BINOL [(S)-Ph(2)-BINOL] and a series of achiral diimine and diamine activators in the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to benzaldehyde, we have observed enantiomeric excesses between 96% (R) and 75% (S) of 1-phenyl-1-propanol. Some of the ligands examined have low-energy chiral conformations that can contribute to the chiral environment of the catalyst. These include achiral diimine ligands with meso backbones that adopt chiral conformations, achiral diimine ligands with backbones that become axially chiral on coordination to metal centers, achiral diamine ligands that form stereocenters on coordination to metal centers, and achiral diamine ligands with pendant groups that have axially chiral conformations. Additionally, we have structurally characterized (Ph(2)-BINOLate)Zn(diimine) and (Ph(2)-BINOLate)Zn(diamine) complexes and studied their solution behavior.     

Bonding and redox properties of [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)(L)] (tmbp=4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine; L=CO, PPh(3)) clusters with an unprecedented electron-deficient metallic core and doubly bridging biphosphinine dianion

Herein we describe in detail the bonding properties and electrochemical behavior of the first known triosmium carbonyl clusters with a coordinated redox-active ligand 4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine (tmbp), the phosphorus derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine. The clusters investigated were [Os(3)(CO)(10)(tmbp)] (1) and its derivative [Os(3)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(tmbp)] (2). The crystal structures of both clusters are compared with those of relevant compounds; they served as the basis for density functional theory (DFT and time-dependent DFT) calculations. The experimental and theoretical data reveal an unexpected and unprecedented bridging coordination mode of tmbp, with each P atom bridging two metal atoms. The tmbp ligand is formally reduced by transfer of two electrons from the triangular cluster core that consequently lacks one of the metal-metal bonds. Both 1 and 2 therefore represent 50e(-) clusters with a coordinated 8e(-) donor, [tmbp](2-). The HOMO and LUMO of 1 and 2 possess a predominant contribution from different pi*(tmbp) orbitals, implying that the lowest energy excited state possesses a significant intraligand character. This is in agreement with the photostability of these clusters. DFT calculations also predict the experimentally observed structure of 1 to be the most stable one in a series of several plausible structural isomers. Stepwise two-electron electrochemical reduction of 1 and 2 results in dissociation of CO and PPh(3), respectively, and formation of the [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)](2-) ion. The initially produced radical anions of the parent clusters, in which the odd electron is predominantly localized on the tmbp ligand, are sufficiently stable at low temperatures and can be observed with IR spectroelectrochemistry. The electron-deficiency of the cluster core in 1 permits facile electrocatalytic substitution of a CO ligand by tertiary phosphane and phosphite donors.     

Syntheses and characterization of cyano-bridged homo and hetero bimetallic complexes containing η and η-cyclic hydrocarbons

The reactions of [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂CN] (ind = η⁵-C₉H₇) (1) and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (2) with [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(bipy)Cl]Cl (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (3) in the presence of AgNO₃/NH₄BF₄ in methanol, respectively, yielded dicationic cyano-bridged complexes of the type [(ind)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (5). The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (2), [CpOs(PPh₃)₂CN] (6) and [CpRu(dppe)CN] (7) with the corresponding halide complexes and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ formed the monocationic cyano-bridge complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (8), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ- CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (9) and [Cp(dppe)Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (10) along with the neutral complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru (η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (11), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (12), and [Cp(dppe) Ru(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (13). These complexes were characterized by FT IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of complexes 4, 8 and 11 were solved by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Unexpected reactivity of PdCl(2) and PtCl(2) complexes of the unsaturated diphosphine o-Me(2)TTF(PPh(2))(2) toward chloride abstraction with thallium triflate

Attempted thallium triflate abstraction of chloride anions from the MCl(2) complexes of the unsaturated chelating diphosphines o-dimethyl-bis(diphenylphosphino)tetrathiafulvalene (P2) (M = Pd, Pt) and cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppen) (M = Pd) affords, surprisingly, a Tl(OTf) adduct in the case of (P2)PdCl(2) and (P2)PtCl(2), with no chloride abstraction, and a dicationic bis(palladium) bis(triflate) salt in the case of (cis-dppen)PdCl(2), in which only one Cl anion was removed. The crystal structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray analysis, which established the formulations (P2)MCl(2).Tl(OTf) (M = Pd, Pt) and [(dppen)PdCl](2)(OTf)(2), respectively. These compounds can be seen as possible intermediates in the general chloride abstraction process between (P-P)MCl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) and thallium triflate.     

Electron pair localization function: a practical tool to visualize electron localization in molecules from quantum Monte Carlo data

In this work we introduce an electron localization function describing the pairing of electrons in a molecular system. This function, called "electron pair localization function," is constructed to be particularly simple to evaluate within a quantum Monte Carlo framework. Two major advantages of this function are the following: (i) the simplicity and generality of its definition; and (ii) the possibility of calculating it with quantum Monte Carlo at various levels of accuracy (Hartree-Fock, multiconfigurational wave functions, valence bond, density functional theory, variational Monte Carlo with explicitly correlated trial wave functions, fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo, etc). A number of applications of the electron pair localization function to simple atomic and molecular systems are presented and systematic comparisons with the more standard electron localization function of Becke and Edgecombe are done. Results illustrate that the electron pair localization function is a simple and practical tool for visualizing electronic localization in molecular systems.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of an 11-vertex nido-diphosphaborane, 7,9-Ph2-nido-7,9-P2B9H9

The new 11-vertex nido-diphosphaborane, 7,9-Ph₂-nido-7,9-P₂B₉H₉, has been synthesized by the reaction of Me₄N⁺[nido-B₉H₁₂⁻] with PhPCl₂ in the presence of NaH. A single crystal X-ray diffraction determination and DFT/GIAO/NMR methods have both established that the compound has an open cage structure containing the phosphorus atoms in non-adjacent positions on the open face.     

Synthesis and reactivity of silyl ruthenium complexes: the importance of trans effects in C-H activation,Si-C bond formation,and dehydrogenative coupling of silanes

A series of octahedral ruthenium silyl hydride complexes, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 1a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 1b; SiEt(3), 1c; SiMe(2)H, 1d), has been synthesized by the reaction of hydrosilanes with (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5), cis-(PMe(3))(4)RuMe(2) (6), or (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) (9). Reaction with 6 proceeds via an intermediate product, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 7a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 7b). Alternatively, 1 and 7 have been synthesized via a fast hydrosilane exchange with another cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H or cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me, which occurs at a rate approaching the NMR time scale. Compounds 1a, 1b, 1d, and 7a adopt octahedral geometries in solution and the solid state with mutually cis silyl and hydride (or silyl and methyl) ligands. The longest Ru-P distance within a complex is always trans to Si, reflecting the strong trans influence of silicon. The aptitude of phosphine dissociation in these complexes has been probed in reactions of 1a, 1c, and 7a with PMe(3)-d(9) and CO. The dissociation is regioselective in the position trans to a silyl ligand (trans effect of Si), and the rate approaches the NMR time scale. A slower secondary process introduces PMe(3)-d(9) and CO in the other octahedral positions, most likely via nondissociative isomerization. The trans effect and trans influence in 7a are so strong that an equilibrium concentration of dissociated phosphine is detectable (approximately 5%) in solution of pure 7a. Compounds 1a-c also react with dihydrogen via regioselective dissociation of phosphine from the site trans to Si, but the final product, fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 4a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 4b; SiEt(3), 4c), features hydrides cis to Si. Alternatively, 4a-c have been synthesized by photolysis of (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) in the presence of a hydrosilane or by exchange of fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) with another HSiR(3). The reverse manifold - HH elimination from 4a and trapping with PMe(3) or PMe(3)-d(9) - is also regioselective (1a-d(9)() is predominantly produced with PMe(3)-d(9) trans to Si), but is very unfavorable. At 70 degrees C, a slower but irreversible SiH elimination also occurs and furnishes (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2). The structure of 4a exhibits a tetrahedral P(3)Si environment around the metal with the three hydrides adjacent to silicon and capping the P(2)Si faces. Although strong Si...HRu interactions are not indicated in the structure or by IR, the HSi distances (2.13-2.23(5) A) suggest some degree of nonclassical SiH bonding in the H(3)SiR(3) fragment. Thermolysis of 1a in C(6)D(6) at 45-55 degrees C leads to an intermolecular CD activation of C(6)D(6). Extensive H/D exchange into the hydride, SiMe(3), and PMe(3) ligands is observed, followed by much slower formation of cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(D)(Ph-d(5)). In an even slower intramolecular CH activation process, (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5) is also produced. The structure of intermediates, mechanisms, and aptitudes for PMe(3) dissociation and addition/elimination of H-H, Si-H, C-Si, and C-H bonds in these systems are discussed with a special emphasis on the trans effect and trans influence of silicon and ramifications for SiC coupling catalysis.     

Two-stage Off-Gel isoelectric focusing: protein followed by peptide fractionation and application to proteome analysis of human plasma

This paper presents the recently introduced Off-Gel electrophoresis (OGE) technology as a versatile tool to reproducibly fractionate intact proteins and peptides into discrete liquid fractions. The coupling of two stages of OGE, i.e., the separation of intact proteins in a first-stage followed by fractionation of peptides derived from each protein fraction after proteolysis in a second stage, results in an array of 15 x 15 fractions that are directly amenable to additional peptide fractionation like reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPC). The analysis of all second-stage peptide fractions from only the first-stage protein fraction representing pH 5.0 -5.15 by on-line reverse-phase LC-tandem mass spectrometry resulted in the identification of 53 proteins (337 peptides), of which 10 were on different immunoglobulin (Ig) chains, with an input of only 1.5 mg human blood plasma proteins. Increasing the protein load to approximately 12 mg increased the number of identified proteins in the same protein fraction to 73 proteins (449 peptides), of which 15 were Ig-related. Immunodepletion of six of the most abundant proteins (albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, IgG, IgA, and alpha-1-antitrypsin) prior to first-stage OGE with an input of 1.5 mg of protein (equivalent to approximately 10 mg nondepleted plasma) resulted in the identification of 81 proteins (660 peptides), of which three were still Ig fragments. The pI-based separation of peptides appears to be nonuniform based on the theoretically determined pI values of identified peptides. This observation specifically accounts for the neutral zone (pI 5-8) and can be accounted for by the physicochemical properties of the peptides given by their amino acid composition. The power of OGE separation of proteins and peptides is discussed with a focus on the use of the knowledge about the pI of proteins and peptides that assist the validation of correct identifications together with the retention time of peptides on RPC.     

Electropolymerization of Pd(II) complexes containing phosphinoterthiophene ligands

A series of Pd complexes of 3'-diphenylphosphino-2,2':5'2' '-terthiophene (1a, dppterth) in which the metal is coordinated in three different modes have been prepared and electropolymerized, resulting in the formation of conductive thin films. In [Pd2(mu-Cl2)(dppterth-P,C3)2] (3a) the metal is P,C-coordinated, in [PdCl2(dppterth-P)2] (4a) the coordination is monodentate via the phosphine, and in [Pd(dppterth-P,C3)(dppterth-P,S1)][PF6] (5a) both P,C- and P,S-coordination modes are found. In 5a, the coordinated thiophene is hemilabile and may be displaced by reaction with more strongly coordinating ligands such as isocyanides. To probe the effect of blocking the alpha-position of the terthienyl moiety with methyl groups, 3'-diphenylphosphino-5-methyl-2,2':5'2' '-terthiophene (1b, Me-dppterth) and 3'-diphenylphosphino-5,5' '-dimethyl-2,2':5'2' '-terthiophene (1c, Me2-dppterth) were prepared, and the corresponding series of Pd complexes was synthesized. One of these complexes, [Pd(Me2-dppterth-P,C3)(Me2-dppterth-P,S1)][PF6] (5c), has been crystallographically characterized. The electropolymerized films prepared from 5a react with isonitriles, and shifts in the absorption spectra of the electropolymerized materials are observed upon reaction. A Pd complex has also been prepared from 5-diphenylphosphino-2,2':5'2' '-terthiophene (2, 5dppterth), and this complex has been electropolymerized. All the electropolymerized thin films have been characterized using EDX analysis, which demonstrates good correspondence with the elemental analysis of the respective monomers, and the maximum conductivities of the films are near 10(-4) S x cm(-1). Comparing the electropolymerization behavior of the complexes, along with their electrochemical and spectroscopic data, allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the involvement of pi-delocalization and the metal group in the conductivity of the materials.     

The reactant state for substrate-activated turnover of acetylthiocholine by butyrylcholinesterase is a tetrahedral intermediate

Secondary beta-deuterium kinetic isotope effects have been measured as a function of substrate concentration for recombinant human butyrylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetyl-L3-thiocholine (L = 1H or 2H). The isotope effect on V/K is inverse, D3V/K = 0.93 +/- 0.03, which is consistent with conversion of the sp2 hybridized carbonyl carbon of the scissile ester bond of the E + A reactant state to a quasi-tetrahedral structure in the acylation transition state. In contrast, the isotope effect on Vmax under conditions of substrate activation is markedly normal, D3(betaVmax) = 1.29 +/- 0.06, an observation that is consistent with accumulation of a tetrahedral intermediate as the reactant state for catalytic turnover. Generally, tetrahedral intermediates for nonenzymatic ester hydrolyses are high-energy steady-state intermediates. Apparently, butyrylcholinesterase displays an unusual ability to stabilize such intermediates. Hence, the catalytic power of cholinesterases can largely be understood in terms of their ability to stabilize tetrahedral intermediates in the multistep reaction mechanism.