Computational advances in organic chemistry: Molecular structure and reactivity. Edited by C. Ögretir and I. G. Csizmadia,NATO ASI Series C,Vol, 330.

We here report an AM 1 study for the reaction of different types of radicals with the acetone enolate ion 1 and other ambident nucleophiles. The theoretical reactivity order determined is phenyl > methyl > tert-butyl ? bicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-1-yl. The activation energy for the coupling of aliphatic radicals is ascribed mainly to nonbonded interactions. Considering possible solvent effects, we propose the same order of reactivity in solution. The coupling reaction of phenyl radical with 1 is an exothermic process with nonactivation energy in the gas phase. Any energy barrier in solution is here ascribed to desolvation of the anion. The regiochemistry of the coupling of radicals with ambident nucleophiles such as 1 , phenoxide, or phenylamide anions is also explained on a theoretical basis. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Flat rank of automorphism groups of buildings

The flat rank of a totally disconnected locally compact group G, denoted flat-rk(G), is an invariant of the topological group structure of G. It is defined thanks to a natural distance on the space of compact open subgroups of G. For a topological Kac-Moody group G with Weyl group W, we derive the inequalities alg-rk(W) ≤ flat-rk(G) ≤ rk(|W|₀). Here, alg-rk(W) is the maximal Z-rank of abelian subgroups of W, and rk(|W|₀) is the maximal dimension of isometrically embedded flats in the CAT0-realization |W|₀. We can prove these inequalities under weaker assumptions. We also show that for any integer n ≥ 1 there is a simple, compactly generated, locally compact, totally disconnected group G, with flat-rk(G) = n and which is not linear.     

Structural and spectroscopic studies of silylated cyclo- and bicyclosilanes

A number of cyclo-and bicyclosilanes have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and Raman spectroscopy. 1,1,4,4- and 1,1,3,3-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)octamethylcyclohexasilanes were found to exhibit unusual twist- and twisted boat-conformations. The UV absorption properties of all compounds were studied and found to show absorption maxima red shifted compared to the parent compound dodecamethylcyclohexasilane. Dedicated to Prof. Mitsuo Kira on the occasion of his reception of the Wacker Silicon Award 2005 and in recongnition of his numerous outstanding achievements in organosilicon chemistry.     

Time spectroscopy in theA 1∑ u + state of Li2

We have determined effective cross-sections for resonant transfer of excitation energy from state-selected Li₂ molecules to ground state Li atoms $$Li_2 A\left( {\upsilon ',J'} \right) + Li2S \to Li_2 X\left( {\upsilon '',J''} \right) + Li2P$$ with two different experimental techniques. Absolute cross-sections were derived from lifetime measurements of 114 rotational levels of theA-state subject to resonant collisions which belong to vibrational statesv′=4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 of⁶Li₂ and⁷Li₂. Cross-sections amount to several thousand Ų dropping off sharply with a resonance half-width of about 16 cm^?1. The resonance behaviour of the collision cross-section inferred from lifetime data could be confirmed by a double resonance technique probing the number of excited atoms with a second laser while the first laser was scanned over the Li₂ X?A absorption band. Due to their high reliability our data prove a good basis for the test of theoretical models. In contrast to earlier investigations significant deviations were found to exist between the measured cross-sections and those predicted by the first-order dipole-dipole scattering theory.     

From model compounds to extended pi-conjugated systems: synthesis and properties of dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phospholes

To explore their suitability for applications in molecular optoelectronics and as sensory materials, novel dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phospholes have been synthesized and their reactivity and properties investigated. An efficient two-step synthesis allowed for a modular assembly of differently functionalized compounds. The dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole system exhibits extraordinary optoelectronic properties with respect to wavelength, intensity, and tunability. Owing to the nucleophilic nature of the central phosphorus atom, its significant electronic influence on the conjugated pi system can be altered selectively by chemically facile modifications such as oxidation or complexation with Lewis acids or transition metals. All the dithienophosphole species presented show very strong blue photoluminescence with excellent quantum yield efficiencies supporting their potential utility as blue-light emitting components in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Furthermore, depending on the electronic nature of the phosphorus center, the materials exhibit distinctive optoelectronic properties suggesting that the dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole system may be useful as sensory material. Theoretical calculations, including time-dependent DFT methods, revealed the excellent predictability of the structures and optoelectronic properties of the functionalized dithienophospholes allowing the design of future dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole-based materials to be "stream-lined". By using tin-functionalized dithienophosphole monomers, a strategy, which involves Stille coupling, towards extended pi-conjugated materials with significantly redshifted optoelectronic properties is also presented.     

Impact of Transition Metal Substituents on Polysilane Properties: Iron versus Ruthenium

Summary. The previously unknown ruthenio disilanes Rp–Si₂Me₄–C₆H₄X (Rp = η⁵-C₅H₅Ru(CO)₂; X = H, Br, –CHO, CH=C(CN)₂) were synthesized from ClSi₂Me₄C₆H₄X (X = H, Br) and Rp⁻ using conventional chemical methods. Trends in the UV/Vis absorption spectra indicate strong electronic coupling within the Rp–Si–Si–C_aryl fragment and, therefore, closely resemble the ones observed for the corresponding iron complexes. The four compounds however, were shown to be less sensitive towards UV irradiation. The crystal structure of Rp–Si₂Me₄–C₆H₄CH=C(CN)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction and exhibits an all-trans-array of the Ru–Si–Si–C_aryl moiety, what is a basic requirement for optimal through-bond interaction.     

Models for the Active Center of Pterin-Containing Molybdenum Enzymes: Crystal structure of a molybdenum complex with sulfur and pterin ligands

The first crystal structure of a molybdenum complex 9 with a hydrogenated pterin and a sulfur ligand contributes to the discussion about the active center of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes containing a molybdopterin cofactor. Complex 9 was synthesized through a redox reaction of [Mo^VIO₂ (LN-S₂)] ( 8 ; LN-S₂ = pyridine-2, 6-bis(methanethiolato)) with 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydropterin ( 7 ). 2 HCl (H₄Ptr.2 HCl). The complex crystallizes, with a non-coordinating Cl-atom acting as a counterion, in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with cell dimensions a = 22.900(5), b = 10.716(2), c = 17.551(4) Å, β = 120.36(3)°, and Z = 8. We interpret 9 as [Mo^IVO(LN-S₂)(H⁺-q-H₂Ptr)]Cl (q = quinonoid; H₂Ptr = dihydropterin), i.e., a Mo^IV monooxo center coordinated by a pyridine-2, 6-bis(methanethiolato) ligand and a protonated dihydropterin. The spectroscopic properties of this new complex are comparable to those of other crystalline molybdenum complexes of hydrogenated pterins without additional S-coordination. The slightly H₂O-soluble complex 9 reacts with the natural enzyme substrate DMSO very slowly, possibly due to the lack of easily dissociable ligands at the metal center.     

First successful reaction of a silyl anion with hafnium tetrachloride

Hafnium tetrachloride reacts with the tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl potassium tmen adduct (1) to form a [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]trichlorohafnium tmen complex (2); reaction of 2 with 2,6-dimethylphenylisonitrile leads to insertion into the silicon hafnium bond (4).