Addition of alkyl radicals to transition-metal-coordinated CO: calculation of the reaction of [Ru(CO)5] and related complexes and relevance to alkane carbonylation

Electronic structure methods have been used to study the transition state and products of the reaction between alkyl radicals and CO coordinated in transition-metal complexes. At the B3LYP DFT level, methyl addition to a carbonyl of [Ru(CO)5] or [Ru(CO)3(dmpe)] is calculated to be about 6 kcal/mol more exothermic than addition to free CO. In contrast, methyl addition to [Mo(CO)6] is 12 kcal/mol less exothermic than addition to CO, while the reaction enthalpy of methyl addition to [Pd(CO)4] is comparable to that of free CO. Related results are obtained at the CCSD-T level and for the reactions of the cyclohexyl radical. The transition state for these reactions is characterized by significant distortion of the geometry of the reactant complex, which include lengthening and bending of the M-CO bond, but with negligible C-C bond formation. Accordingly, the activation energy for addition to coordinated carbonyls is 2-10 kcal/mol greater than that of addition to free CO. Additional calculations were also carried out on representative unsaturated metal carbonyls. The calculated results afford an understanding of the mechanism of previously reported photochemical alkane carbonylation systems utilizing d(8)-ML5 metal carbonyls as cocatalysts. In particular, it is strongly indicated that such systems operate via direct attack by an alkyl radical at a CO ligand, a reaction that has not previously been proposed.     

Organoruthenium derivative of the cyclic [H7P8W48O184]33- anion: [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27-

Reaction of [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 with [H7P8W48O184]33- (P8W48) in aqueous acidic medium results in the organometallic derivative [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27- (1); in addition to the four {Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)} units, an unusual WO6 group with four equatorial, terminal ligands is also grafted to the crown-shaped P8W48 precursor.     

Dilacunary decatungstates functionalized by organometallic ruthenium(II), [{Ru(C6H6)(H2O)}{Ru(C6H6)}(gamma-XW10O36)]4- (X = Si, Ge)

The benzene-Ru(II)-supported dilacunary decatungstosilicate [{Ru(C6H6)(H2O)}{Ru(C6H6)}(gamma-SiW10O36)]4- and the isostructural decatungstogermanate [{Ru(C6H6)(H2O)}{Ru(C6H6)}(gamma-GeW10O36)]4- have been synthesized and characterized by multinuclear solution NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and electrochemistry. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on K4[{Ru(C6H6)(H2O)}{Ru(C6H6)}(gamma-SiW10O36)].9H2O (K-1), which crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pmn2(1), with a = 13.6702(3) A, b = 16.2419(4) A, c = 12.1397(2) A, and Z = 2, and on K4[{Ru(C6H6)(H2O)}{Ru(C6H6)}(gamma-GeW10O36)].7H2O (K-2), which also crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pmn2(1), with a = 13.6684(12) A, b = 16.297(2) A, c = 12.1607(13) A, and Z = 2. Polyanions 1 and 2 consist of a Ru(C6H6)(H2O) group and a Ru(C6H6) group linked to a dilacunary (gamma-XW10O36) Keggin fragment resulting in an assembly with idealized Cs symmetry. The Ru(C6H6)(H2O) group is bound at the lacunary polyanion site via two Ru-O(W) bonds, whereas the Ru(C6H6) group is bound on the side via three Ru-O(W) bonds. Polyanions 1 and 2 were synthesized in aqueous acidic medium at pH 2.5 by the reaction of [Ru(C6H6)Cl2]2 with [gamma-SiW10O36]8- and [gamma-GeW10O36]8-, respectively. The formal potentials are roughly the same for the first W waves of 1 and 2. However, important differences appear for the second W waves. These observations indicate different acid-base properties for the reduced forms of 1 and 2. Three oxidation processes were detected: the oxidation of the Ru center is followed first by irreversible electrocatalytic processes of the Ru-benzene moiety and then of the electrolyte. Comparison of this behavior with that of the precursor reagent, [Ru(C6H6)Cl2]2, was useful to understand the main oxidation processes. A ligand substitution reaction was observed upon addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) to 1, 2, or [Ru(C6H6)Cl2]2. This reaction facilitates substantially the oxidation of the Ru center. The dmso was oxidized with large electrocatalytic currents more efficiently in the presence of 1 and 2 than with [Ru(C6H6)Cl2]2.     

The 20-Tungsto-4-Tellurate(IV) [H2Te4W20O80]22− and the 15-Tungstotellurate(IV) [NaTeW15O54]13−

The 20-tungsto-4-tellurate(IV) polyanion [H₂Te₄W₂₀O₈₀]^22? (1) has been synthesized and isolated in the form of its hydrated sodium salt Na₂₂[H₂Te₄W₂₀O₈₀]·64H₂O (Na-1). Na-1 has been characterized in the solid state by FTIR and TGA. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that Na-1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P ${\bar 1}The 20-tungsto-4-tellurate(IV) polyanion [H₂Te₄W₂₀O₈₀]²²⁻ (1) has been synthesized and isolated in the form of its hydrated sodium salt Na₂₂[H₂Te₄W₂₀O₈₀]·64H₂O (Na-1). Na-1 has been characterized in the solid state by FTIR and TGA. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that Na-1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P , with a = 12.741(2) ?, b = 16.842(3) ?, c = 17.197(4) ?, α = 93.961(10)°, β = 107.466(8)°, γ = 108.548(8)°, V = 3281.5(11) ?³ and Z = 1. The polyanion 1 comprises two [HTe₂W₁₀O₄₀]¹¹⁻ fragments, connected through Te−O–W μ₂-oxo bridges, and each containing a pair of face-shared WO₆ octahedra. Furthermore, the 15-tungstotellurate(IV) polyanion [NaTeW₁₅O₅₄]¹³⁻ (2) was synthesized and crystallized as a sodium salt in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, with a = 11.8841(5) ?, b = 20.8934(11) ?, c = 31.801(2) ?, V = 7896.3(7) ?³ and Z = 4. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Dedicated to Professor C. N. R. Rao on the occasion of his 75th birthday     

Homozygous mutation of focal adhesion kinase in embryonic stem cell derived neurons: normal electrophysiological and morphological properties in vitro

Background  

Genetically manipulated embryonic stem (ES) cell derived neurons (ESNs) provide a powerful system with which to study the consequences of gene manipulation in mature, synaptically connected neurons in vitro. Here we report a study of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which has been implicated in synapse formation and regulation of ion channels, using the ESN system to circumvent the embryonic lethality of homozygous FAK mutant mice.     

Mixed-Valence 24-Vanadophosphate Decorated with Six RuII(dmso)3 Groups: [{RuII3(dmso)9PVV11VIVRuIIIO37(OH)3}2]8?

The mixed-valence 24-vanadophosphate (1) has been synthesized and characterized in the solid state by IR, magnetism, EPR, XPS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (Na-1), which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , with a = 17.168(3) ?, b = 18.1971(14) ?, c = 20.1422(13) ?, α = 114.753(3)°, β = 99.390(4)°, γ = 95.124(4)°, and Z = 2. Polyanion 1 has an unusual, open structure composed of 2 Ru^IIIO₆ octahedra, 2 V^IVO₆ octahedra, 14 V^VO₅ square-pyramids, 8 V^VO₄ tetrahedra, and 2 PO₄ tetrahedra which are all directly linked via edges and corners. The outer surface of 1 is decorated with six Ru^II(dmso)₃ groups. XPS studies on Na-1 confirm the presence of 2 Ru^III and 6 Ru^II as well as 22 V^V and 2 V^IV centers. Magnetic susceptibility data on Na-1 show that the V^IV–Ru^III pairs are coupled antiferromagnetically, with J ₁ = −13 K and J ₂ ∼ −3 K. We did not detect any peak in our EPR measurements on Na-1, thus supporting the conclusion that Na-1 is diamagnetic in its ground state. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. In Memoriam Prof. F. A. Cotton     

Two iron-containing tungstogermanates: [K(H2O)(beta-Fe2GeW10O37(OH))(gamma-GeW10O36)]12- and [{beta-Fe2GeW10O37(OH)2}2]12-

Interaction of the dilacunary polyanion precursor [gamma-GeW(10)O(36)](8-) with Fe(3+) ions in aqueous buffer medium (pH 4.8) results in the formation of two dimeric tungstogermanates depending on the reactant ratios. When using an Fe3+ to [gamma-GeW(10)O(36)](8-) ratio of 1:1, the asymmetric anion [K(H(2)O)(beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)(OH))(gamma-GeW(10)O(36))](12-) (1) is formed, whereas [{beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)(OH)2}2]12- (2) is formed when using a ratio of 2:1. Single-crystal X-ray analyses were carried out on Cs(3)K(9)[K(H(2)O)(beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)(OH))(gamma-GeW(10)O(36))].19H(2)O (CsK-1), which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, a = 11.4547(2), b = 19.9181(5), c = 21.0781(6) A, alpha = 66.7977(12), beta = 89.1061(12), gamma = 84.4457(11) degrees, and Z = 2 and on Cs(7)K(4)Na[{beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)(OH)(2)}(2)].39H(2)O (CsKNa-2), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, a = 32.7569(13), b = 12.2631(5), c = 14.2895(5) A, beta = 104.135(2) degrees , and Z = 2. Polyanion 1 consists of (beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)) and (gamma-GeW(10)O(36)) units linked via two Fe-O-W bridges and a central potassium ion. Two equivalent FeO(6) octahedra complete the belt of the beta-Keggin unit and link to the (gamma-GeW(10)O(36)) fragment. On the other hand, 2 consists of two {beta-Fe(2)GeW(10)O(37)(OH)(2)} units with four bridging hydroxo groups linking the four Fe(3+) ions, forming an eight-membered ring. The magnetic properties of CsK-1 and CsKNa-2 have been studied by magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements and fitted according to an isotropic exchange model. Both polyanions 1 and 2 exhibit diamagnetic ground states with a small amount of paramagnetic impurity. Electrochemistry studies on 1 and 2 were carried out in a pH 5 acetate medium. The two polyanions have in common the simultaneous reduction of all of their Fe(3+) centers. This observation suggests the existence of identical or almost-identical influences on these centers and their equivalence, especially in the reduced state. Controlled potential coulometry results indicate the presence of two Fe(3+) centers in 1 and four in 2. The splitting of the tungsten wave of 1 compared to the single tungsten wave of 2 is attributed to a difference in acid-base properties of the polyanions. Voltammetric peak-potential shifts as a function of pH were studied in the case of 2.     

Investigation of norflurazon pesticide photodegradation using plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis

We have previously demonstrated that PD-TOFMS (plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry) analysis is a powerful technique for the in situ analysis of pesticides deposited or adsorbed on solid materials. With the aim of producing reproducible data on the modification of a pesticide under controlled photodegradation conditions, we have now undertaken a study where both the substrate and the pesticide are well characterized. This is the case for norflurazon deposited onto an aluminium substrate, in particular regarding the reproducibility of preparation of the samples and the change with time of their chemical composition. Degradation parameters have been derived from the variation in yield of ions representative of the molecule and of its breakdown products and, particularly, from the time required for 50% dissipation of their initial concentration (DT50). DT50 values ranging between 1 and 10 h have been found. An interpretation of the degradation process is proposed from the decay of other ions. As expected, the degradation is faster when the UV sunlight is unfiltered (a factor of 3.8 for the molecule, and around 5 for the breakdown products).