Bonding Insights from Structural and Spectroscopic Comparisons of {SnW5 } and {TiW5 } Alkoxido- and Aryloxido-Substituted Lindqvist Polyoxometalates.

Incorporation of {MX}n+ groups into polyoxometalates (POMs) provides the means not only to introduce reactivity and functionality but also to tune the electronic properties of the oxide framework by varying M, X and n. In order to elucidate the factors responsible for differences in reactivity between {TiW5 } and {SnW5 } Lindqvist-type hexametalates, a series of alkoxido- and aryloxido-tin substituted POMs (nBu4 N)3 [(RO)SnW5 O18 ] (R=Me, Et, iPr and tBu) and (nBu4 N)3 [(ArO)SnW5 O18 ] (Ar=C6 H5 , 4-MeC6 H5 , 4-tBuC6 H5 , 4-HOC6 H4 , 3-HOC6 H4 and 2-CHOC6 H4 ) has been structurally characterised and studied by multinuclear NMR (1 H, 13 C, 17 O, 119 Sn and 183 W) and FTIR spectroscopy. Spectroscopic and structural parameters were compared with those of titanium-substituted homologues and, when coupled with theoretical studies, indicated that Sn-OR and Sn-OAr bonds are ionic with little π-contribution, whereas Ti-OR and Ti-OAr bonds are more covalent with π-bonding that is more prevalent for Ti-OR than Ti-OAr. This experimental and theoretical analysis of bonding in a homologous series of reactive POMs is the most extensive and detailed to date, and reveals factors which account for significant differences in reactivity between tin and titanium congeners.

Structural and Mechanistic Insights into s-Block Bimetallic Catalysis: Sodium Magnesiate-Catalyzed Guanylation of Amines.

To advance the catalytic applications of s-block mixed-metal complexes, sodium magnesiate [NaMg(CH2 SiMe3 )3 ] (1) is reported as an efficient precatalyst for the guanylation of a variety of anilines and secondary amines with carbodiimides. First examples of hydrophosphination of carbodiimides by using a Mg catalyst are also described. The catalytic ability of the mixed-metal system is much greater than that of its homometallic components [NaCH2 SiMe3 ] and [Mg(CH2 SiMe3 )2 ]. Stoichiometric studies suggest that magnesiate amido and guanidinate complexes are intermediates in these catalytic routes. Reactivity and kinetic studies imply that these guanylation reactions occur via (tris)amide intermediates that react with carbodiiimides in insertion steps. The rate law for the guanylation of N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide with 4-tert-butylaniline catalyzed by 1 is first order with respect to [amine], [carbodiimide], and [catalyst], and the reaction shows a large kinetic isotopic effect, which is consistent with an amine-assisted rate-determining carbodiimide insertion transition state. Studies to assess the effect of sodium in these transformations denote a secondary role with little involvement in the catalytic cycle.

Grignard-mediated reduction of 2,2,2-trichloro-1-arylethanones.

2,2,2-Trichloro-1-aryl-ethanones can be reduced by RMgX to the corresponding 2,2-dichloro-1-arylethen-1-olates and trapped with a range of electrophiles resulting in either reduction, reduction/aldol, reduction/Claisen condensation or reduction/aldol-Tishchenko products. In addition we demonstrate that 2,2-dichloro-1-arylethen-1-olates undergo counter-ion controlled Darzens condensations, which can be followed by a thermal rearrangement as a route to 1,3-diaryl-3-chloropropane-1,2-diones.

Model system for irreversible inhibition of Nek2: thiol addition to ethynylpurines and related substituted heterocycles.

Recent studies have shown that irreversible inhibition of Nek2 kinase [(Never in mitosis gene a)-related kinase 2], overexpression of which is observed in several cancers, can be achieved using Michael acceptors containing an ethynyl group, which target the enzyme's cysteine 22 residue lying near the catalytic site. The model studies described herein demonstrate an analogous capture of the ethynyl moiety in a series of ethynyl-heterocycles (e.g. 6-ethynyl-N-phenyl-9H-purin-2-amine) by N-acetylcysteine methyl ester in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane in either dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide. Kinetic studies showed a 50-fold range in reactivity with 7-ethynyl-N-phenyl-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amine being the most reactive compound, whereas 4-ethynyl-N-phenyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amine was the least reactive. Studies of the isomeric compounds, 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-7-methyl-7H-purin-2-yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide and 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-9-methyl-9H-purin-2-yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide, revealed the N(7)-methyl isomer to be 5-fold more reactive than the 9-methyl isomer, which is ascribed to a buttressing effect in the N(7)-methyl compound. Comparison of the crystal structures of these isomers showed that the ethynyl group is significantly displaced away from the methyl group exclusively in the N(7)-methyl isomer with an sp(2) bond angle of 124°, whereas the corresponding angle in the N(9)-methyl isomer was the expected 120°. The results of this study indicate heterocyclic scaffolds that are likely to be more promising for inhibition of Nek2 and other kinases containing a reactive cysteine.

Stabilization of a diphosphagermylene through pπ-pπ interactions with a trigonal-planar phosphorus center.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes and their heavier homologues are, in part, stabilized by delocalization of the N lone pairs into the vacant p-orbital at carbon (or a heavier Group 14 element center). These interactions are usually absent in the corresponding P-substituted species, owing to the large barrier to planarization of phosphorus. However, judicious selection of the substituents at phosphorus has enabled the synthesis of a diphosphagermylene, [(Dipp)2P]2 Ge, in which one of the P centers is planar (Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl). The planar nature of this P center and the correspondingly short P-Ge distance suggest a significant degree of P-Ge multiple bond character that is due to delocalization of the phosphorus lone pair into the vacant p-orbital at germanium. DFT calculations support this proposition and NBO and AIM analyses are consistent with a Ge-P bond order greater than unity.

Light-induced rearrangement of thioether-substituted phosphanide ligands: scope and limitations of a remarkable isomerization.

Treatment of the thioether-substituted secondary phosphanes R(2)PH(C6H4-2-SR(1)) [R(2) = (Me3Si)2CH, R(1) = Me (1PH), iPr (2PH), Ph (3PH); R(2) = tBu, R(1) = Me (4PH); R(2) = Ph, R(1) = Me (5PH)] with nBuLi yields the corresponding lithium phosphanides, which were isolated as their THF (1-5Pa) and tmeda (1-5Pb) adducts. Solid-state structures were obtained for the adducts [R(2)P(C6H4-2-SR(1))]Li(L)n [R(2) = (Me3Si)2CH, R(1) = nPr, (L)n = tmeda (2Pb); R(2) = (Me3Si)2CH, R(1) = Ph, (L)n = tmeda (3Pb); R(2) = Ph, R(1) = Me, (L)n = (THF)1.33 (5Pa); R(2) = Ph, R(1) = Me, (L)n = ([12]crown-4)2 (5Pc)]. Treatment of 1PH with either PhCH2Na or PhCH2K yields the heavier alkali metal complexes [{(Me3Si)2CH}P(C6H4-2-SMe)]M(THF)n [M = Na (1Pd), K (1Pe)]. With the exception of 2Pa and 2Pb, photolysis of these complexes with white light proceeds rapidly to give the thiolate species [R(2)P(R(1))(C6H4-2-S)]M(L)n [M = Li, L = THF (1Sa, 3Sa-5Sa); M = Li, L = tmeda (1Sb, 3Sb-5Sb); M = Na, L = THF (1Sd); M = K, L = THF (1Se)] as the sole products. The compounds 3Sa and 4Sa may be desolvated to give the cyclic oligomers [[{(Me3Si)2CH}P(Ph)(C6H4-2-S)]Li]6 ((3S)6) and [[tBuP(Me)(C6H4-2-S)]Li]8 ((4S)8), respectively. A mechanistic study reveals that the phosphanide-thiolate rearrangement proceeds by intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the phosphanide center at the carbon atom of the substituent at sulfur. For 2Pa/2Pb, competing intramolecular ß-deprotonation of the n-propyl substituent results in the elimination of propene and the formation of the phosphanide-thiolate dianion [{(Me3Si)2CH}P(C6H4-2-S)](2-).

Substituent and noncovalent interaction effects in the reactivity of purine derivatives with tetracarboxylato-dirhodium(II) units. Rationalization of a rare binding mode via N3.

Reactions between [Rh(2)(CH(3)COO)(4)] with 2,6-diaminopurine (HDap) or 6-chloro-2-aminopurine (HClap) and [Rh(2)((CH(3))(3)CCOO)(4)] with HClap produce, three new dirhodium(II) carboxylate complexes of the general form, [Rh(2)(RCOO)(4)(Purine)(2)] (R = CH(3), (CH(3))(3)C). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm that in all cases the purine coordinates to the axial position of the dirhodium(II)tetracarboxylate unit. However, while the complex obtained with HDap features the typical purine binding mode via N(7), complexes containing HClap show unusual N3 coordination. This is an extremely rare instance of an unrestricted purine binding via N3. Some rationalization of these data is offered based on a series of DFT calculations.

Phosphido-borane and phosphido-bis(borane) complexes of the alkali metals, a comparative study.

Treatment of the secondary phosphine {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)PH with BH(3)·SMe(2) yields the phosphine-borane {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)PH(BH(3)) (12) as colorless crystals. The reactions between 12 and n-BuLi, PhCH(2)Na or PhCH(2)K yield the corresponding phosphido-borane complexes [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))]Li(THF)(2)](∞) (13), [{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))][Na(12-crown-4)(2)] (14), or [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))]K(pmdeta)](2) (15), respectively, after crystallization in the presence of the appropriate co-ligand. While 13 crystallizes as a chain polymer, 14 crystallizes as a separated ion pair and 15 as a dimer. In both 13 and 15 the phosphido-borane ligands bind the alkali metal cations via both P-M and B-H···M contacts. Unexpectedly, NMR spectroscopy suggests that the separated ion pair 14 undergoes rapid inversion at phosphorus, while 13 and 15 do not. The phosphido-bis(borane) complexes [{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))(2)]Li(12-crown-4) (16b), [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))(2)]Na(THF)(2)](2) (17), and [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(Ph)P(BH(3))(2)]K(THF)(0.5)](∞) (18a) were prepared by treatment of the corresponding in situ-generated phosphido-borane complexes with BH(3)·SMe(2) and crystallization in the presence of the appropriate co-ligand. Compound 16b crystallizes as a monomer, while 17 crystallizes as a dimer and 18a crystallizes as a ribbon polymer. These crystallographic studies reveal entirely new binding modes for both phosphido-borane and phosphido-bis(borane) ligands and allow a direct comparison between these two ligand types.

Coordination chemistry of 6-thioguanine derivatives with cobalt: toward formation of electrical conductive one-dimensional coordination polymers.

In this work we have synthetized and characterized by X-ray diffraction five cobalt complexes with 6-thioguanine (6-ThioGH), 6-thioguanosine (6-ThioGuoH), or 2'-deoxy-6-thioguanosine (2'-d-6-ThioGuoH) ligands. In all cases, these ligands coordinate to cobalt via N7 and S6 forming a chelate ring. However, independently of reagents ratio, 6-ThioGH provided monodimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymers, in which the 6-ThioG(-) acts as bridging ligand. However, for 2'-d-6-ThioGuoH and 6-ThioGuoH, the structure directing effect of the sugar residue gives rise to mononuclear cobalt complexes which form extensive H-bond interactions to generate 3D supramolecular networks. Furthermore, with 2'-d-6-ThioGuoH the cobalt ion remains in the divalent state, whereas with 6-ThioGuoH oxidation occurs and Co(III) is found. The electrical and magnetic properties of the coordination polymers isolated have been studied and the results discussed with the aid of DFT calculations, in the context of molecular wires.

Trifluoroethanol solvent facilitates selective N-7 methylation of purines.

Purines protected at N-9 by p-methoxybenzyl are methylated or ethylated in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol at N-7 by trimethyl- or triethyl-oxonium borofluorate, respectively. Subjecting the resulting cationic species to microwave irradiation releases an N(7)-methyl- or ethyl-purine. This one-pot procedure is an efficient regiospecific method applicable to diverse substrates.

Unprecedented regiochemical control in the formation of aryl[1,2-a]imidazopyridines from alkynyliodonium salts: mechanistic insights.

Aryl(alkynyl)iodonium salts have been demonstrated to be valuable precursors to a diverse range of heteroaromatic ring systems including aryl[1,2-a]imidazopyridines. Successful application, using the recently described aryl(alkynyl)iodonium trifluoroacetate salts, is described, highlighting for the first time that the regioselectivity of this process is both counter-ion and concentration dependent. Studies with a carbon-13 labelled substrate established that the reactions of alkynyliodonium salts are highly complex and that multiple mechanistic processes appear to be underway simultaneously.

Tuning the Förster overlap integral: energy transfer over 20 Ångstroms from a pyrene-based donor to borondipyrromethene (Bodipy).

A linear molecular dyad was synthesised comprising a pyrene-thiophene energy donor linked via a triazole unit to a borondipyrromethene (Bodipy) energy acceptor. The donor to acceptor separation distance is around 20 Å. Emission from the donor originates from a mixed π-π* and partial charge-transfer state and overlaps favourably with the absorption profile for the acceptor. The level of spectral overlap is dependent on the solvent polarity. Rates for electronic energy transfer were measured by transient absorption spectroscopy in solvents of varying polarity and refractive index. The measured rates for Förster energy transfer (k(EET)) correlate fairly well with the calculated overlap integrals (J(F)). A sigmoidal relationship is observed between k(EET) and the solvent polarity function ΔF.

5,5-Dimethyl-2,8-diphenyl-5H-dibenzo[b,f]silepine: a synchrotron study.

The molecule of the title silepine compound, C28H24Si, lies on a crystallographic general position but has almost exact mirror symmetry. The seven-membered silepine ring has a boat conformation, with a fold angle of 99.99 (9)° between the C-C=C-C stern and the C-Si-C prow. The planes of the phenyl substituents are rotated by 32.23 (6) and 31.80 (7)° out of the planes of the respective fused benzene rings. Similar folded conformations are found for other dibenzo[b,f]silepines, while analogous dibenzo[b,f]borepines, in which the B atom can participate in conjugation, have a more flattened heterocyclic ring.

Experimental study of hydrogen bonding potentially stabilizing the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical from coenzyme†B12.

Coenzyme B(12) can assist radical enzymes that accomplish the vicinal interchange of a hydrogen atom with a functional group. It has been proposed that the Co-C bond homolysis of coenzyme B(12) to cob(II)alamin and the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical is aided by hydrogen bonding of the corrin C19-H to the 3'-O of the ribose moiety of the incipient 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical, which is stabilized by 30 kJ mol(-1) (B. Durbeej et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 8578-8585). The diastereoisomers (R)- and (S)-2,3-dihydroxypropylcobalamin were used as models for coenzyme B(12). A downfield shift of the NMR signal for the C19-H proton was observed for the (R)-isomer (δ=4.45 versus 4.01 ppm for the (S)-isomer) and can be ascribed to an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the C19-H and the oxygen of CHOH. Crystal structures of (R)- and (S)-2,3-dihydroxypropylcobalamin showed C19-H⋅⋅⋅O distances of 3.214(7) Š(R-isomer) and 3.281(11) Š(S-isomer), which suggest weak hydrogen-bond interactions (-ΔG<6 kJ mol(-1)) between the CHOH of the dihydroxypropyl ligand and the C19-H. Exchange of the C19-H, which is dependent on the cobalt redox state, was investigated with cob(I)alamin, cob(II)alamin, and cob(III)alamin by using NMR spectroscopy to monitor the uptake of deuterium from deuterated water in the pH range 3-11. No exchange was found for any of the cobalt oxidation states. 3',5'-Dideoxyadenosylcobalamin, but not the 2',5'-isomer, was found to act as a coenzyme for glutamate mutase, with a 15-fold lower k(cat)/K(M) than 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. This indicates that stabilization of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical by a hydrogen bond that involves the C19-H and the 3'-OH group of the cofactor is, at most, 7 kJ mol(-1) (-ΔG). Examination of the crystal structure of glutamate mutase revealed additional stabilizing factors: hydrogen bonds between both the 2'-OH and 3'-OH groups and glutamate 330. The actual strength of a hydrogen bond between the C19-H and the 3'-O of the ribose moiety of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl group is concluded not to exceed 6 kJ mol(-1) (-ΔG).

Effect on charge transfer and charge recombination by insertion of a naphthalene-based bridge in molecular dyads based on borondipyrromethene (bodipy).

The photophysical properties of two related dyads based on a N,N-dimethylaniline donor coupled to a fully-alkylated boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) acceptor are described. In one dyad, BD1, the donor unit is attached directly to the Bodipy group, whereas in the second dyad, BD2, a naphthalene spacer separates the two units. Cyclic voltammograms recorded for the two dyads in deoxygenated MeCN containing a background electrolyte are consistent with the reversible one-electron oxidation of the N,N-dimethylaniline group and the reversible one-electron reduction of the Bodipy nucleus. There is a reasonable driving force (ΔG(CT)) for photoinduced charge transfer from the N,N-dimethylaniline to the Bodipy segment in MeCN. The charge-transfer state is formed for BD1 extremely fast (1.5 ps), but decays over 140 ps to partially restore the ground state. On the other hand, the charge-transfer state for BD2 is formed more slowly, but it decays extremely rapidly. Charge recombination for both dyads leads to a partial triplet formation on the Bodipy group. The naphthalene spacer group is extremely efficient at promoting back electron transfer.

Diastereoselective intermolecular ene reactions: synthesis of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles.

The Diels-Alder cycloadducts of 4-vinylimidazoles and N-phenylmaleimide are shown to undergo facile intermolecular ene reactions. Overall the reaction of three simple molecules (a diene, a dienophile and an enophile) in a two-step process gives 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles with high yields, high atom economy and diastereocontrol of up to 5 new stereocentres.

Photoinduced charge shift and charge recombination through an alkynyl spacer for an expanded acridinium-based dyad.

The photophysical and electrochemical properties of a dyad comprising an expanded acridinium light-harvester, coupled via a triple bond to a trialkyloxybenzene donor, are described. Laser excitation of the dyad in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) results in rapid charge shift (5 ps) followed by slower charge recombination (81 ps) to completely restore the ground state. Discrimination between forward and return electron transfer (k(ret)/k(for) ~ 16) is rather poor. There is no indication of triplet formation on the expanded acridinium-based group following charge recombination.

Exploring Förster electronic energy transfer in a decoupled anthracenyl-based borondipyrromethene (bodipy) dyad.

An anthracenyl-Bodipy dyad containing a triazole bridge, that acts to decouple the two units in the ground state, has been synthesised and structurally characterised. Efficient electronic energy transfer occurs from the anthracenyl-based unit to the Bodipy system in toluene in around 12 ps, and becomes faster in solvents of lower refractive index. The rate of electronic energy transfer is discussed in terms of Förster theory.

Air-stable, highly fluorescent primary phosphanes.

Light without fright: a synthetic route to fluorescent primary phosphanes (RPH(2)) that are resistant to air oxidation both in the solid state and in chloroform solution is described. These versatile precursors undergo hydrophosphination to give tripodal ligands and subsequently fluorescent transition-metal complexes.

Kinetic and theoretical studies on the protonation of [Ni(2-SC6H4N){PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2}]+: nitrogen versus sulfur as the protonation site.

The complexes [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)]BPh(4) and [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)]BPh(4) {triphos = PhP(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2), 4-Spy = 4-pyridinethiolate, 2-Spy = 2-pyridinethiolate} have been prepared and characterized both spectroscopically and using X-ray crystallography. In both complexes the triphos is a tridentate ligand. However, [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) comprises a 4-coordinate, square-planar nickel with the 4-Spy ligand bound to the nickel through the sulfur while [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) contains a 5-coordinate, trigonal-bipyramidal nickel with a bidentate 2-Spy ligand bound to the nickel through both sulfur and nitrogen. The kinetics of the reactions of [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) and [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) with lutH(+) (lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) in MeCN have been studied using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, and the two complexes show very different reactivities. The reaction of [Ni(4-Spy)(triphos)](+) with lutH(+) is complete within the deadtime of the stopped-flow apparatus (2 ms) and corresponds to protonation of the nitrogen. However, upon mixing [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) and lutH(+) a reaction is observed (on the seconds time scale) to produce an equilibrium mixture. The mechanistic interpretation of the rate law has been aided by the application of MSINDO semiempirical and ADF calculations. The kinetics and calculations are consistent with the reaction between [Ni(2-Spy)(triphos)](+) and lutH(+) involving initial protonation of the sulfur followed by dissociation of the nitrogen and subsequent transfer of the proton from sulfur to nitrogen. The factors affecting the position of protonation and the coupling of the coordination state of the 2-pyridinethiolate ligand to the site of protonation are discussed.