Ethylene Polymerizations Catalyzed by Fluorinated "Sandwich" Diimine-Nickel and Palladium Complexes.

Nickel and palladium complexes bearing "sandwich" diimine ligands with perfluorinated aryl caps have been synthesized, characterized, and explored in ethylene polymerization reactions. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of the precatalysts 16 and 6b shows differences from their nonfluorinated analogues 17 and 19, with the perfluorinated aryl caps centered precisely over the nickel and palladium centers, which results in higher buried volumes of the metal centers relative to the nonfluorinated analogues. The sandwich diimine-palladium complexes 5a and 5b containing perfluorinated aryl caps polymerize ethylene in a controlled fashion with activities that are substantially increased compared with their nonfluorinated analogues. Migratory insertion rates in relevant methyl ethylene complexes agree with the activities exhibited in bulk polymerization experiments. DFT studies suggest that facility of ethylene rotation from its preferred orientation perpendicular to the Pd-alkyl bond into a parallel in-plane conformation contributes to the higher polymerization activity for 5b relative to 18a. For these palladium systems, polymer molecular weights can be controlled via hydrogen addition (hydrogenolysis), which is unusual for late-transition-metal-catalyzed olefin polymerizations with no catalyst deactivation occurring. Sandwich diimine-nickel complexes 6a and 6b with perfluorinated aryl caps show ethylene polymerization activities that are about half of those of classical tetraisopropyl-substituted catalyst 2 but again are more active than the analogous nonfluorinated sandwich complexes. Ethylene polymerizations exhibit living behavior, and branched ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) with very low-molecular-weight distributions (less than 1.1) are obtained. The activated nickel catalysts are stable in the absence of monomer and show good long-term stability at 25 °C.

The modifying effect of the serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient on the cardiovascular safety of SSRIs in the hemodialysis population: a pharmacoepidemiologic study.

BACKGROUND: Hypokalemia is a risk factor for drug-induced QT prolongation. Larger serum-to-dialysate potassium gradients during hemodialysis (HD) may augment the proarrhythmic risks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). METHODS: We conducted a cohort study using 2007-2017 data from the United States Renal Data System and a large dialysis provider to examine if the serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient modifies SSRI cardiac safety. Using a new-user design, we compared 1-year sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk among HD patients newly treated with higher (citalopram, escitalopram) versus lower (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) QT-prolonging potential SSRIs, overall and stratified by baseline potassium gradient (≥4 versus <4 mEq/l). We used inverse probability of treatment-weighted survival models to estimate weighted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and conducted a confirmatory nested case-control study. RESULTS: The study included 25 099 patients: 11 107 (44.3%) higher QT-prolonging potential SSRI new users and 13 992 (55.7%) lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI new users. Overall, higher versus lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI use was not associated with SCD [weighted HR 1.03 (95% CI 0.86-1.24)]. However, a greater risk of SCD was associated with higher versus lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI use among patients with baseline potassium gradients ≥4 mEq/l but not among those with gradients <4 mEq/l [weighted HR 2.17 (95% CI 1.16-4.03) versus 0.95 (0.78-1.16)]. Nested case-control analyses yielded analogous results. CONCLUSIONS: The serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient may modify the association between higher versus lower QT-prolonging SSRI use and SCD among people receiving HD. Minimizing the potassium gradient in the setting of QT-prolonging medication use may be warranted.

Targeted maximum likelihood estimation of causal effects with interference: A simulation study.

Interference, the dependency of an individual's potential outcome on the exposure of other individuals, is a common occurrence in medicine and public health. Recently, targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) has been extended to settings of interference, including in the context of estimation of the mean of an outcome under a specified distribution of exposure, referred to as a policy. This paper summarizes how TMLE for independent data is extended to general interference (network-TMLE). An extensive simulation study is presented of network-TMLE, consisting of four data generating mechanisms (unit-treatment effect only, spillover effects only, unit-treatment and spillover effects, infection transmission) in networks of varying structures. Simulations show that network-TMLE performs well across scenarios with interference, but issues manifest when policies are not well-supported by the observed data, potentially leading to poor confidence interval coverage. Guidance for practical application, freely available software, and areas of future work are provided.

2,4,6-Triphenylpyridinium: A Bulky, Highly Electron-Withdrawing Substituent That Enhances Properties of Nickel(II) Ethylene Polymerization Catalysts.

The reactivity of NiII and PdII olefin polymerization catalysts can be enhanced by introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents on the supporting ligands rendering the metal centers more electrophilic. Reported here is a comparison of ethylene polymerization activity of a classical salicyliminato nickel catalyst substituted with the powerful electron-withdrawing 2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium (trippy) group to the -CF3 analogue. The trippy substituent is substantially more electron-withdrawing (σmeta =0.63) than the trifluoromethyl group (σmeta =0.43) which results in a ca. 8-fold increase in catalytic turnover frequency. An additional advantage of trippy is the high steric bulk relative to the trifluoromethyl group. This feature results in a four-fold increase in polymer molecular weight owing to enhanced retardation of chain transfer. A significant increase in catalyst lifetime is observed as well.

Unsaturated Alcohols as Chain-Transfer Agents in Olefin Polymerization: Synthesis of Aldehyde End-Capped Oligomers and Polymers.

Palladium diimine-catalyzed polymerization of olefins using unsaturated alcohols as chain-transfer agents has been demonstrated. The reaction affords aldehyde end-capped polymers whose molecular weight can be tuned by varying the ratio of olefin/chain-transfer agent. Notably, >95% efficient end capping with aldehyde can be achieved under optimized conditions. This end-capping procedure is a rare example of introducing a highly reactive and versatile terminal functionality in polyolefin chains using a functional group-tolerant late metal catalyst. The reactivity of these end-capped polymers is illustrated here via functionalization with dyes to yield colored, hydrocarbon-soluble polyolefin derivatives.

New Neutral Nickel and Palladium Sandwich Catalysts: Synthesis of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) via Highly Controlled Polymerization and Mechanistic Studies of Chain Propagation.

New neutral nickel and palladium ethylene polymerization catalysts have been prepared that incorporate an anionic (N,O) chelating ligand. Extensive axial shielding is provided by two 3,5-dichloroaryl moieties in a "sandwich" orientation. Such shielding results in an exceptionally slow rate of chain transfer relative to migratory insertion in the nickel catalyst, and thus highly controlled polymerization of ethylene is observed, leading to lightly branched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with Mn values up to 4.1 × 106 g/mol. The analogous palladium catalysts provide the means for a detailed mechanistic study of chain propagation in an electronically asymmetric neutral palladium catalyst. Both isomers of the methyl ethylene complex can be generated and observed at low temperatures allowing experimental elucidation of mechanistic details of chain propagation probed in other electronically asymmetric systems only through DFT studies or by examination of model studies. The barrier to migratory insertion in these complexes is ca. 19.2 kcal/mol. Investigation of the equilibration of the methyl ethylene isomers in the presence of excess ethylene showed the isomerization rate is dependent on ethylene concentration. This is the first direct proof that isomerization in these alkyl ethylene intermediates is catalyzed by ethylene. Furthermore, isomer equilibration is much faster than migratory insertion so that the barriers for insertion of individual isomers cannot be determined.

Exploring Ethylene/Polar Vinyl Monomer Copolymerizations Using Ni and Pd α-Diimine Catalysts.

The most ubiquitous polymer, polyethylene (PE), is produced either through a radical-initiated process or, more commonly, through a coordination/insertion process employing early transition metal catalysts, particularly titanium- and chromium-based systems. These oxophilic early metal catalysts are not functional-group-tolerant and thus cannot be used to synthesize copolymers of ethylene and polar vinyl monomers such as alkyl acrylates and vinyl acetate. Such PE copolymers have enhanced properties relative to PE and are made through radical polymerization processes, requiring exceptionally high pressures and temperatures. Copolymerizations of polar vinyl monomers with ethylene using more functional group-tolerant late metal catalysts potentially offer an attractive alternative for generating such value-added copolymers since ligand variations may provide more control of polymer microstructures and milder reaction conditions would apply. This Account describes our efforts, particularly through detailed mechanistic studies, to probe and develop this potential using Pd(II) and Ni(II) α-diimine catalysts. To inform discussions of the copolymerizations, we briefly review key aspects of ethylene homopolymerizations using these diimine catalysts. These include ligand designs that incorporate axial blocking groups that retard chain transfer and promote production of a high polymer rather than an oligomer. These ligand designs also lead to unique branched polyethylenes via migration of the metal along the chain ("chain-walking") prior to insertion. Mechanistic investigations of copolymerizations of ethylene with polar vinyl monomers using the diimine complexes have revealed several impediments to developing practical catalysts: (1) The polar group of the comonomer can coordinate strongly to the metal center, blocking coordination of ethylene. (2) Weak binding affinity of the polar monomer relative to ethylene can result in very low levels of comonomer incorporation. (3) A metal alkyl chain bearing a heteroatom, X, on the ß-carbon atom can undergo ß-X elimination leading to deactivation of the catalyst. (4) Stable chelate formation following insertion of a polar comonomer can greatly retard the rate of chain growth. (5) A metal alkyl chain bearing an electron-withdrawing heteroatom at the □-carbon atom can result in a high insertion barrier. A patent disclosure by the DuPont Versipol group and our extensive mechanistic studies reveal that, remarkably, vinyl trialkoxysilanes are ideal comonomers and circumvent all of the impediments noted above. The Pd-catalyzed copolymerization of vinyl trialkoxysilanes with ethylene produces highly branched, low molecular weight copolymers with activities comparable to those of analgous ethylene homopolymerizations. A 1,2- insertion of the vinyl silane results in the formation of a five-membered Pd-O(R)Si chelate which is readily opened by ethylene and thus does not reduce the rate of chain growth. ß-Silyl elimination results in chain transfer and accounts for the lower molecular weight polymer. The nickel α-diimine-catalyzed copolymerizations produce high molecular weight copolymers with structures that vary from nearly linear to moderately branched. Both four- and five-membered chelates are catalyst resting states but are rapidly opened by ethylene, and thus turnover frequencies are only slightly reduced relative to ethylene homopolymerizations. Finally, a convenient and practical nickel-based system has been developed for the efficient synthesis of this copolymer which can be cross-linked to form PEX- b, a commercial PE plastic used for hot water plumbing pipes and power cable coatings.

Nickel-Catalyzed Copolymerization of Ethylene and Vinyltrialkoxysilanes: Catalytic Production of Cross-Linkable Polyethylene and Elucidation of the Chain-Growth Mechanism.

Copolymerizations of ethylene with vinyltrialkoxysilanes using cationic (α-diimine)Ni(Me)(CH3CN)+ complexes 4a,b/B(C6F5)3 yield high molecular weight copolymers exhibiting highly branched to nearly linear backbones depending on reaction conditions and catalyst choice. Polymerizations are first-order in ethylene pressure and inverse-order in silane concentration. Microstructural analysis of the copolymers reveals both in-chain and chain-end incorporation of -Si(OR)3 groups whose ratios depend on temperature and ethylene pressure. Detailed low-temperature NMR spectroscopic investigations show that well-defined complex 3b (α-diimine)Ni(Me)(OEt2)+ reacts rapidly at -60 °C with vinyltrialkoxysilanes via both 2,1 and 1,2 insertion pathways to yield 4- and 5-membered chelates, respectively. Such chelates are the major catalyst resting states but are in rapid equilibrium with ethylene-opened chelates, (α-diimine)Ni(R)(C2H4)+ complexes, the species responsible for chain growth. Chelate rearrangement via ß-silyl elimination accounts for formation of chain-end -Si(OR)3 groups and constitutes a chain-transfer mechanism. Chelate formation and coordination of the Ni center to the ether moiety, R-O-Si, of the vinylsilane somewhat decreases the turnover frequency (TOF) relative to ethylene homopolymerization, but still remarkably high TOFs of up to 4.5 × 105 h-1 and overall productivities can be achieved. Activation of readily available (α-diimine)NiBr2 complexes 2 with a combination of AlMe3/B(C6F5)3/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] yields a highly active and productive catalyst system for the convenient synthesis of the copolymer, a cross-linkable PE. For example, copolymers containing 0.23 mol % silane can be generated at 60 °C, 600 psig ethylene over 4 h with a productivity of 560 kg copolymer/g Ni. This method offers an alternative route to these materials, normally prepared via radical routes, which are precursors to the commercial cross-linked polyethylene, PEX-b.

Mechanistic Studies of Pd(II)-Catalyzed Copolymerization of Ethylene and Vinylalkoxysilanes: Evidence for a ß-Silyl Elimination Chain Transfer Mechanism.

Copolymerizations of ethylene with vinyltrialkoxysilanes are reported using both a "traditional" cationic Pd(II) aryldiimine catalyst, t-1 (aryl = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), and a "sandwich-type" aryldiimine catalyst, s-2 (aryl = 8-tolylnaphthyl). Incorporation levels of vinyltrialkoxysilanes between 0.25 and 2.0 mol % were achieved with remarkably little rate retardation relative to ethylene homopolymerizations. In the case of the traditional catalyst system, molecular weights decrease as the level of comonomer increases and only one trialkoxysilyl group is incorporated per chain. Molecular weight distributions of ca. 2 are observed. For the sandwich catalyst, higher molecular weights are observed with many more trialkoxysilyl groups incorporated per chain. Polymers with molecular weight distributions of ca. 1.2-1.4 are obtained. Detailed NMR mechanistic studies have revealed the formation of intermediate π-complexes of the type (diimine)Pd(alkyl)(vinyltrialkoxysilane)+. 1,2-Migratory insertions of these complexes occur with rates similar to ethylene insertion and result in formation of observable five-membered chelate intermediates. These chelates are rapidly opened with ethylene forming alkyl ethylene complexes, a requirement for chain growth. An unusual ß-silyl elimination mechanism was shown to be responsible for chain transfer and formation of low molecular weight copolymers in the traditional catalyst system, t-1. This chain transfer process is retarded in the sandwich system. Relative binding affinities of ethylene and vinyltrialkoxysilanes to the cationic palladium center have been determined. The quantitative mechanistic studies reported fully explain the features of the bulk polymerization results.

Ligand exchanges and selective catalytic hydrogenation in molecular single crystals.

Chemical reactions inside single crystals are likely to be highly selective, but examples of single crystal to single crystal (SC-SC) transformations are uncommon, because crystallinity is difficult to retain following the rearrangement of atoms in the solid state. The most widely studied SC-SC transformations involve solvent exchange reactions in porous coordination polymers or metal-organic frameworks, which take advantage of the robust polymeric networks of the hosts. Examples of reactions occurring within molecular organic crystals generally involve photo-induced reactions, such as the coupling of alkenes or alkynes within the crystal. For nonporous molecular inorganic or organometallic crystals, single-crystal transformations involving the formation or cleavage of metal-ligand bonds are rare; known examples usually involve ligand loss from the single crystal and reversible religation, a process sometimes accompanied by decay of the single crystal to a microcrystalline powder. Here we report a series of SC-SC transformations that involve the interchange of multiple small gaseous ligands (N(2), CO, NH(3), C(2)H(4), H(2) and O(2)) at an iridium centre in molecular single crystals of a pincer Ir(I) complex. The single crystal remains intact during these ligand-exchange reactions, which occur within the crystal and do not require prior ligand extrusion. We reveal a selective catalytic transformation within a nonporous molecular crystal: pincer iridium single crystals ligated with nitrogen, ethylene or hydrogen show selective hydrogenation of ethylene relative to propylene (25:1) when surface sites are passified by CO.

Intramolecular Hydrogen Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Rhodium and Cobalt Olefin Complexes: Mechanistic Studies.

The mechanism of intramolecular transfer dehydrogenation catalyzed by [Cp*M(VTMS)2] (1, M=Rh, 2, M=Co, Cp* = C5Me5, VTMS = vinyltrimethylsilane) complexes has been studied using vinyl silane protected alcohols as substrates. Deuterium-labeled substrates have been synthesized and the regioselectivity of H/D transfers investigated using 1H and 2H NMR spectroscopy. The labeling studies establish a regioselective pathway consisting of alkene directed α C-H activation, 2,1 alkene insertion, and finally ß-hydride elimination to give silyl enol ether products.

Oxygen atom transfer to a half-sandwich iridium complex: clean oxidation yielding a molecular product.

The oxidation of [Ir(Cp*)(phpy)(NCAr(F))][B(Ar(F))4] (1; Cp* = η(5)-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, phpy = 2-phenylene-κC(1')-pyridine-κN, NCAr(F) = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile, B(Ar(F))4 = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) with the oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reagent 2-tert-butylsulfonyliodosobenzene (sPhIO) yielded a single, molecular product at -40 °C. New Ir(Cp*) complexes with bidentate ligands derived by oxidation of phpy were synthesized to model possible products resulting from oxygen atom insertion into the iridium-carbon and/or iridium-nitrogen bonds of phpy. These new ligands were either cleaved from iridium by water or formed unreactive, phenoxide-bridged iridium dimers. The reactivity of these molecules suggested possible decomposition pathways of Ir(Cp*)-based water oxidation catalysts with bidentate ligands that are susceptible to oxidation. Monitoring the [Ir(Cp*)(phpy)(NCAr(F))](+) oxidation reaction by low-temperature NMR techniques revealed that the reaction involved two separate OAT events. An intermediate was detected, synthesized independently with trapping ligands, and characterized. The first oxidation step involves direct attack of the sPhIO oxidant on the carbon of the coordinated nitrile ligand. Oxygen atom transfer to carbon, followed by insertion into the iridium-carbon bond of phpy, formed a coordinated organic amide. A second oxygen atom transfer generated an unidentified iridium species (the "oxidized complex"). In the presence of triphenylphosphine, the "oxidized complex" proved capable of transferring one oxygen atom to phosphine, generating phosphine oxide and forming an Ir-PPh3 adduct in 92% yield. The final Ir-PPh3 product was fully characterized.

Synthesis and characterization of carbazolide-based iridium PNP pincer complexes. Mechanistic and computational investigation of alkene hydrogenation: evidence for an Ir(III)/Ir(V)/Ir(III) catalytic cycle.

New carbazolide-based iridium pincer complexes ((carb)PNP)Ir(C2H4), 3a, and ((carb)PNP)Ir(H)2, 3b, have been prepared and characterized. The dihydride, 3b, reacts with ethylene to yield the cis-dihydride ethylene complex cis-((carb)PNP)Ir(C2H4)(H)2. Under ethylene this complex reacts slowly at 70 °C to yield ethane and the ethylene complex, 3a. Kinetic analysis establishes that the reaction rate is dependent on ethylene concentration and labeling studies show reversible migratory insertion to form an ethyl hydride complex prior to formation of 3a. Exposure of cis-((carb)PNP)Ir(C2H4)(H)2 to hydrogen results in very rapid formation of ethane and dihydride, 3b. DFT analysis suggests that ethane elimination from the ethyl hydride complex is assisted by ethylene through formation of ((carb)PNP)Ir(H)(Et)(C2H4) and by H2 through formation of ((carb)PNP)Ir(H)(Et)(H2). Elimination of ethane from Ir(III) complex ((carb)PNP)Ir(H)(Et)(H2) is calculated to proceed through an Ir(V) complex ((carb)PNP)Ir(H)3(Et) which reductively eliminates ethane with a very low barrier to return to the Ir(III) dihydride, 3b. Under catalytic hydrogenation conditions (C2H4/H2), cis-((carb)PNP)Ir(C2H4)(H)2 is the catalyst resting state, and the catalysis proceeds via an Ir(III)/Ir(V)/Ir(III) cycle. This is in sharp contrast to isoelectronic (PCP)Ir systems in which hydrogenation proceeds through an Ir(III)/Ir(I)/Ir(III) cycle. The basis for this remarkable difference is discussed.

Prevalent but moderate variation across small geographic regions in patient nonadherence to evidence-based preventive therapies in older adults after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Patient long-term adherence to ß-blockers, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is alarmingly low. It is unclear how prevalent patient adherence may be across small geographic areas and whether this geographic prevalence may vary. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using Medicare service claims files from 2007 to 2009 with Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and above who were alive 30 days after the index AMI hospitalization between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 (N=85,017). The adjusted proportions of patients adherent to ß-blockers, statins, and ACEIs/ARBs, respectively, in the 12 months after discharge across the 306 Hospital Referral Regions (HRRs) were measured and compared by control chart. The intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC) and the additional prediction power from this small-area variation on individual patient adherence were assessed. RESULTS: The adjusted proportion of patients adherent across HRRs ranged from 58% to 74% (median, 66%) for ß-blockers, from 57% to 67% (median, 63%) for ACEIs/ARBs, and from 58% to 73% (median, 66%) for statins. The ICC was 0.053 (95% CI, 0.043-0.064) for ß-blockers, 0.050 (95% CI, 0.039-0.061) for ACEIs/ARBs, and 0.041 (95% CI, 0.031-0.052) for statins. The adjusted proportion of patients adherent across HRRs increased the c-statistic by 0.01-0.02 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nonadherence to evidence-based preventive therapies post-AMI among older adults was prevalent across small geographic regions. Moderate small-area variation in patient adherence exists.

Rapid selective electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formate by an iridium pincer catalyst immobilized on carbon nanotube electrodes.

An iridium pincer dihydride catalyst was immobilized on carbon nanotube-coated gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) by using a non-covalent binding strategy. The as-prepared GDEs are efficient, selective, durable, gas permeable electrodes for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formate. High turnover numbers (ca. 54,000) and turnover frequencies (ca. 15 s(-1)) were enabled by the novel electrode architecture in aqueous solutions saturated in CO2 with added HCO3(-).

Stability and dynamic processes in 16VE iridium(III) ethyl hydride and rhodium(I) σ-ethane complexes: experimental and computational studies.

Iridium(I) and rhodium(I) ethyl complexes, (PONOP)M(C2H5) (M = Ir (1-Et), Rh (2-Et)) and the iridium(I) propyl complex (PONOP)Ir(C3H7) (1-Pr), where PONOP is 2,6-(tBu2PO)2C5H3N, have been prepared. Low-temperature protonation of the Ir complexes yields the alkyl hydrides, (PONOP)Ir(H)(R) (1-(H)(Et)(+) and 1-(H)(Pr)(+)), respectively. Dynamic (1)H NMR characterization of 1-(H)(Et)(+) establishes site exchange between the Ir-H and Ir-CH2 protons (ΔG(exH)(‡)(-110 °C) = 7.2(1) kcal/mol), pointing to a σ-ethane intermediate. By dynamic (13)C NMR spectroscopy, the exchange barrier between the α and ß carbons ("chain-walking") was measured (ΔG(exC)(‡)(-110 °C) = 8.1(1) kcal/mol). The barrier for ethane loss is 17.4(1) kcal/mol (-40 °C), to be compared with the reported barrier to methane loss in 1-(H)(Me)(+) of 22.4 kcal/mol (22 °C). A rhodium σ-ethane complex, (PONOP)Rh(EtH) (2-(EtH)(+)), was prepared by protonation of 2-Et at -150 °C. The barrier for ethane loss (ΔG(dec)(‡)(-132 °C) = 10.9(2) kcal/mol) is lower than for the methane complex, 2-(MeH)(+), (ΔG(dec)(‡)(-87 °C) = 14.5(4) kcal/mol). Full spectroscopic characterization of 2-(EtH)(+) is reported, a key feature of which is the upfield signal at -31.2 ppm for the coordinated CH3 group in the (13)C NMR spectrum. The exchange barrier of the hydrogens of the coordinated methyl group is too low to be measured, but the chain-walking barrier of 7.2(1) kcal/mol (-132 °C) is observable by (13)C NMR. The coordination mode of the alkane ligand and the exchange pathways for the Rh and Ir complexes are evaluated by DFT studies. On the basis of the computational studies, it is proposed that chain-walking occurs by different mechanisms: for Rh, the lowest energy path involves a η(2)-ethane transition state, while for Ir, the lowest energy exchange pathway proceeds through the symmetrical ethylene dihydride complex.

Mechanism of hydrogenolysis of an iridium-methyl bond: evidence for a methane complex intermediate.

Evidence for key σ-complex intermediates in the hydrogenolysis of the iridium-methyl bond of (PONOP)Ir(H)(Me)(+) (1) [PONOP = 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)pyridine] has been obtained. The initially formed η(2)-H(2) complex, 2, was directly observed upon treatment of 1 with H(2), and evidence for reversible formation of a σ-methane complex, 5, was obtained through deuterium scrambling from η(2)-D(2) in 2-d(2) into the methyl group of 2 prior to methane loss. This sequence of reactions was modeled by density functional theory calculations. The transition state for formation of 5 from 2 showed significant shortening of the Ir-H bond for the hydrogen being transferred; no true Ir(V) trihydride intermediate could be located. Barriers to methane loss from 2 were compared to those of 1 and the six-coordinate species (PONOP)Ir(H)(Me)(CO)(+) and (PONOP)Ir(H)(Me)(Cl).

Alkane metathesis by tandem alkane-dehydrogenation-olefin-metathesis catalysis and related chemistry.

Methods for the conversion of both renewable and non-petroleum fossil carbon sources to transportation fuels that are both efficient and economically viable could greatly enhance global security and prosperity. Currently, the major route to convert natural gas and coal to liquids is Fischer-Tropsch catalysis, which is potentially applicable to any source of synthesis gas including biomass and nonconventional fossil carbon sources. The major desired products of Fischer-Tropsch catalysis are n-alkanes that contain 9-19 carbons; they comprise a clean-burning and high combustion quality diesel, jet, and marine fuel. However, Fischer-Tropsch catalysis also results in significant yields of the much less valuable C(3) to C(8)n-alkanes; these are also present in large quantities in oil and gas reserves (natural gas liquids) and can be produced from the direct reduction of carbohydrates. Therefore, methods that could disproportionate medium-weight (C(3)-C(8)) n-alkanes into heavy and light n-alkanes offer great potential value as global demand for fuel increases and petroleum reserves decrease. This Account describes systems that we have developed for alkane metathesis based on the tandem operation of catalysts for alkane dehydrogenation and olefin metathesis. As dehydrogenation catalysts, we used pincer-ligated iridium complexes, and we initially investigated Schrock-type Mo or W alkylidene complexes as olefin metathesis catalysts. The interoperability of the catalysts typically represents a major challenge in tandem catalysis. In our systems, the rate of alkane dehydrogenation generally limits the overall reaction rate, whereas the lifetime of the alkylidene complexes at the relatively high temperatures required to obtain practical dehydrogenation rates (ca. 125 -200 °C) limits the total turnover numbers. Accordingly, we have focused on the development and use of more active dehydrogenation catalysts and more stable olefin-metathesis catalysts. We have used thermally stable solid metal oxides as the olefin-metathesis catalysts. Both the pincer complexes and the alkylidene complexes have been supported on alumina via adsorption through basic para-substituents. This process does not significantly affect catalyst activity, and in some cases it increases both the catalyst lifetime and the compatibility of the co-catalysts. These molecular catalysts are the first systems that effect alkane metathesis with molecular-weight selectivity, particularly for the conversion of C(n)n-alkanes to C(2n-2)n-alkanes plus ethane. This molecular-weight selectivity offers a critical advantage over the few previously reported alkane metathesis systems. We have studied the factors that determine molecular-weight selectivity in depth, including the isomerization of the olefinic intermediates and the regioselectivity of the pincer-iridium catalyst for dehydrogenation at the terminal position of the n-alkane. Our continuing work centers on the development of co-catalysts with improved interoperability, particularly olefin-metathesis catalysts that are more robust at high temperature and dehydrogenation catalysts that are more active at low temperature. We are also designing dehydrogenation catalysts based on metals other than iridium. Our ongoing mechanistic studies are focused on the apparently complex combination of factors that determine molecular-weight selectivity.

Identifying specific chemotherapeutic agents in Medicare data: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: Large health care databases are increasingly used to examine the dissemination and benefits and harms of chemotherapy treatment in routine practice, particularly among patients excluded from trials (eg, the elderly). Misclassification of chemotherapy could bias estimates of frequency and association, warranting an updated assessment. METHODS: We evaluated the validity of Medicare claims to identify receipt of chemotherapy and specific agents delivered to elderly stage II/III colorectal (CRC), in situ/early-stage breast, non-small-cell lung, and ovarian cancer patients using the National Cancer Institute's Patterns of Care studies (POC) as the gold standard. The POC collected data on chemotherapy treatment by reabstracting hospital records, contacting physicians, and reviewing medical records. Patients' POC data were linked and compared with their Medicare claims for 2 to 12 months postdiagnosis. κ, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the receipt of any chemotherapy and specific agents. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of Medicare claims to identify any chemotherapy were high across all cancer sites. We found substantial variation in validity across agents, by site and administration modality. Capecitabine, an oral CRC treatment, was identified in claims with high specificity (98%) but low sensitivity (47%), whereas oxaliplatin, an intravenously administered CRC agent had higher sensitivity (75%) and similar specificity (97%). CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of chemotherapy and specific intravenous agents can be identified using Medicare claims, showing improvement from prior reports; yet, variation exists. Future studies should assess newly approved agents and the impact of coverage decisions for these agents under the Medicare Part D program.

Cobalt-catalyzed hydrosilation/hydrogen-transfer cascade reaction: a new route to silyl enol ethers.

Capitalizing on cobalt: A new route to silyl enol ethers employing a Co-catalyzed cascade reaction featuring a tandem hydrosilation/hydrogen-transfer reaction is reported. The low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, and unique η(2)-silane resting state showcase the impressive utility of this seldom used transition-metal catalyst in C-H activation reactions (see scheme; VTMS = vinyltrimethylsilane; Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene).