Catalytic Nitrene Transfer by an FeIV-Imido Complex Generated by a Comproportionation Process

Nitrene transfer reactions have emerged as one of the most powerful and versatile ways to insert an amine function to various kinds of hydrocarbon substrates. However, the mechanisms of nitrene generation have not been studied in depth albeit their formation is taken for granted in most cases without definitive evidence of their occurrence. In the present work, we compare the generation of tosylimido iron species and NTs transfer from Fe^II and Fe^III precursors where the metal is embedded in a tetracarbene macrocycle. Catalytic nitrene transfer to reference substrates (thioanisole, styrene, ethylbenzene and cyclohexane) revealed that the same active species was at play, irrespective of the ferrous versus ferric nature of the precursor. Through combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, an Fe^IV tosylimido species was identified as the catalytically active species and was characterized spectroscopically and computationally. Whereas its formation from the Fe^II precursor was expected by a two-electron oxidative addition, its formation from an Fe^III precursor was unprecedented. Thanks to a combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, EPR, Hyscore and Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, we found that, when starting from the Fe^III precursor, an Fe^III tosyliodinane adduct was formed and decomposed into an Fe^V tosylimido species which generated the catalytically active Fe^IV tosylimide through a comproportionation process with the Fe^III precursor.     

Negatively Charged Metallacarborane Redox Couples with Both Members Stable to Air

The metallacarborane [3,3′‐Co(1,2‐closo‐C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]^? has been synthesized. This species allows the formation of redox couples in which both partners are negatively charged. The E_1/2 potential can be tuned by adjusting the nature and number of substituents on B and C. The octaiodinated species [3,3′‐Co(1,2‐closo‐C₂B₉H₇I₄)₂]^? is the most favorable, as it is isolatable and stable in air. A DFT study on stability and redox potentials of complexes has been performed.     

Dihalodimethyltin(IV) complexes of 2‐(pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl)pyridine

Reaction of dichloro‐ and dibromodimethyltin(IV) with 2‐(pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl)pyridine (PMP) afforded [SnMe₂Cl₂(PMP)] and [SnMe₂Br₂(PMP)] respectively. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and mass spectrometry and by IR, Raman and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopies. Structural studies by X‐ray diffraction techniques show that the compounds consist of discrete units with the tin atom octahedrally coordinated to the carbon atoms of the two methyl groups in a trans disposition (Sn? C = 2.097(5), 2.120(5) Å and 2.110(6), 2.121(6) Å in the chloro and in the bromo compounds respectively), two cis halogen atoms (Sn? Cl = 2.4908(16), 2.5447(17) Å; Sn? Br = 2.6875(11), 2.7464(9) Å) and the two donor atoms of the ligand (Sn? N = 2.407(4), 2.471(4) Å and 2.360(5), 2.455(5) Å). In both cases, the Sn? N(pyridine) bond length is markedly longer than the Sn? N(pyrazole) distance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Higher order shock waves

Shock waves and the relevant Rankine-Hugoniot conditions may be inadequate even in simple cases. As an example, the electromagnetic field generated by a point charge, whose velocity jumps from0 to a constant value, not only jumps across a spherical surface expanding at light speed, but also includes a-distribution term. This suggests that the concept of higher order shock waves be introduced, the associated compatibility conditions being also deduced.

---

Sommario Il concetto di onda d'urto può rivelarsi inadeguato per descrivere situazioni anche semplici. A titolo di esempio, si determina esplicitamente l'espressione del campo elettromagnetico generato da una carica puntiforme la cui velocità passa istantaneamente da0 a un valore costante. Il campo elettromagnetico non solo è discontinuo attraverso una superficie sferica che si espande alla velocità della luce, ma include anche un termine che coinvolge la distribuzione. Ciò suggerisce di definire le onde d'urto di ordine superiore, per le quali si determinano le corrispondenti condizioni di compatibilità.

     

DFT computational study of the mechanism of allyl halides carbonylation catalyzed by nickel tetracarbonyl

A theoretical investigation at the DFT(B3LYP) level on the carbonylation reaction of allyl bromide catalyzed by nickel tetra-carbonyl Ni(CO)(4) is discussed. The computational results show the following: (i) Three main steps characterize the catalytic cycle: (a) an oxidative addition step, (b) a carbonylation step, and (c) a reductive elimination step where the acyl product is obtained and the catalyst is regenerated. (ii) Both Ni(CO)(3) and Ni(CO)(4) complexes can behave as "active" catalytic species. (iii) The oxidative addition leads to the formation of either eta(3) or eta(1)-allyl nickel complexes, which are involved in a fast equilibrium. (iv) The carbonylation occurs much more easily on the eta(1) than on the eta(3) intermediates.     

Substituted m-phenylene bridges as strong ferromagnetic couplers for Cu(II)-bridge-Cu(II) magnetic interactions: new perspectives

Based on a combined theoretical-experimental study, we propose that substituted m-phenylene ligands (m-N-Phi-N) can act as tuneable strong ferromagnetic couplers connecting Cu(II) ions; a new complex presenting that bridge with J close to +15 cm(-1) has been suggested and synthesized.     

The modulating possibilities of dicarbollide clusters: optimizing the Kharasch catalysts

exo-Cluster dicarbollides substitution has allowed tuning of the E degrees (Ru(II)/Ru(III)) potential to obtain the best-performing Kharasch catalyst. We postulate that this is possible through the to-and-fro electron movement between the boron cluster and the sulfonium moieties.     

The nature of the AuI ... AuI Interactions between Cationic [AuL2]+ Complexes in the Solid State

The interaction energy of a [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ ... [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ dimer is investigated using the MP2 method and the LANL2DZ basis set when isolated or embedded in ionic an [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregate, a good model for the environment that these dimers feel in ionic crystals. A repulsive interaction energy is obtained when the dimer is isolated. However, it is possible to find short Au^I ... Au^I separations in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregates, because in these aggregates the sum of the cation ... anion interactions overweight the sum of the cation ... cation plus anion...anion interactions. This explains why short Au^I ... Au^I separations are found in ionic crystals. The Au^I ... Au^I interaction found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates shows the same features observed in energetically stable dimers presenting Au^I... Au^I bonds. This makes appropriate to use the name counterion-mediated bonds for the Au^I... Au^I interactions found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates and ionic crystals.