Colorimetric Detection of Sulfur Mustard with 4-(p-Nitrobenzyl)pyridine and Its Derivatives.

In this study, we present a simple, highly sensitive, and selective colorimetric method for detecting sulfur mustard (SM) and its simulants. This method relies on a nucleophilic substitution reaction between derivatives of 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP) and SM and subsequent treatment with an external base, resulting in a visible response. This reaction exhibits an impressively low detection threshold by the naked eye, as low as 10 ppm at room temperature. In contrast to the conventional use of NBP for detecting other alkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustard, our approach eliminates the need for prolonged heating or intricate extraction processes. Both computational and experimental investigations underscore the significance of water within our detection medium as it stabilizes crucial episulfonium cation intermediates. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical applicability of this sensor by incorporating it onto cellulose and silica surfaces, which may provide guidance for the design and development of solid-state SM detectors.

The Importance of Ligand-Induced Backdonation in the Stabilization of Square Planar d10 Nickel π-Complexes.

The electronic nature of Ni π-complexes is underexplored even though these complexes have been widely postulated as intermediates in organometallic chemistry. Herein, the geometric and electronic structure of a series of nickel π-complexes, Ni(dtbpe)(X) (dtbpe=1,2-bis(di-tert-butyl)phosphinoethane; X=alkene or carbonyl containing π-ligands), is probed using a combination of 31 P NMR, Ni K-edge XAS, Ni Kß XES, and DFT calculations. These complexes are best described as square planar d10 complexes with π-backbonding acting as the dominant contributor to M-L bonding to the π-ligand. The degree of backbonding correlates with 2 JPP from NMR and the energy of the Ni 1s→4pz pre-edge in the Ni K-edge XAS data, and is determined by the energy of the π*ip ligand acceptor orbital. Thus, unactivated olefinic ligands tend to be poor π-acids whereas ketones, aldehydes, and esters allow for greater backbonding. However, backbonding is still significant even in cases in which metal contributions are minor. In such cases, backbonding is dominated by charge donation from the diphosphine, which allows for strong backdonation, although the metal centre retains a formal d10 electronic configuration. This ligand-induced backbonding can be formally described as a 3-centre-4-electron (3c-4e) interaction, in which the nickel centre mediates charge transfer from the phosphine σ-donors to the π*ip ligand acceptor orbital. The implications of this bonding motif are described with respect to both structure and reactivity.

Platinum-mediated B-H methoxylation of bis(pyrazolyl)borate.

A new bis(pyrazolyl)dihydridoborato diphenylplatinum(ii) complex was found to react with methanol to form H2 and a new diphenylplatinum(ii) complex supported by bis(pyrazolyl)dimethoxyborate. When performed in CD3OD, in addition to the expected installation of OCD3 fragments on the B-center and concomitant formation of H-D, deuteration of PtII(C6H5)2 fragments was observed. In contrast, dissolution of the bis(pyrazolyl)dimethoxyborato diphenylplatinum(ii) complex in CD3OD led to neither deuteration of PtII(C6H5)2 fragments nor substitution of B-bound methoxy fragments. A mechanism discussing the role of the PtII-center is presented.

Role of Phosphine Sterics in Strained Aminophosphine Chelate Formation.

The preparation of four-membered aminophosphine (PN) chelates from common metal precursors has largely evaded realization because of the ring strain associated with these species. We report a straightforward approach to the synthesis of such PN metallacycles using simple α-PN ligands analogous to the popular class of small-bite-angle diphosphinomethane ligands. It is demonstrated that bulky phosphine substituents are important to the formation of these chelates.

Understanding Ni(II)-Mediated C(sp3)-H Activation: Tertiary Ureas as Model Substrates.

We report a mechanistic study of C(sp3)-H bond activation mediated by nickel. Cyclometalated Ni(II) ureate [(PEt3)Ni(κ3- C,N,N-(CH2)N(Cy)(CO)N((N)-quinolin-8-yl))] was synthesized and isolated from the urea precursor, (Me)(Cy)N(CO)N(H)(quinolin-8-yl), via C(sp3)-H activation. We investigated the effects of solvents and base additives on the rate of C-H activation. Kinetic isotope effect experiments showed that C-H activation is rate determining. Through deuterium labeling and protonation studies, we also showed that C-H activation can be reversible. We extended this reaction to a range of ureas with primary and secondary C(sp3)-H bonds, which activate readily to form analogous nickelated products. Finally, we showed that carboxylate additives assist with both ligand dissociation and initial N-H bond activation, consistent with a concerted metalation-deprotonation mechanism.

Recent advances in well-defined, late transition metal complexes that make and/or break C-N, C-O and C-S bonds.

Chemical transformations that result in either the formation or cleavage of carbon-heteroatom bonds are among the most important processes in the chemical sciences. Herein, we present a review on the reactivity of well-defined, late-transition metal complexes that result in the making and breaking of C-N, C-O and C-S bonds via fundamental organometallic reactions, i.e. oxidative addition, reductive elimination, insertion and elimination reactions. When appropriate, emphasis is placed on structural and spectroscopic characterization techniques, as well as mechanistic data.

1,3-N,O-Complexes of late transition metals. Ligands with flexible bonding modes and reaction profiles.

1,3-N,O-Chelating ligands are ubiquitous in nature owing to their occurrence as α-chiral amino acids in metalloproteins. These structural units also display diverse coordination modes, which lend themselves to applications in catalysis as well as novel fundamental stoichiometric reactivity, including the activation of inert bonds. This review comments on recent developments in N,O-ligated late transition metal complexes with an emphasis on preparation, characterization, and reactivity.

Catalytic Functionalization of Styrenyl Epoxides via 2-Nickela(II)oxetanes.

Low-valent nickel is shown to preferentially isomerize mono- or disubstituted epoxides into their corresponding aldehydes. Experiments with tetrasubstituted epoxides demonstrate that these reactions proceed via reactive 2-nickelaoxetane intermediates, and that the oxidative addition step likely occurs with retention of configuration. The monosubstituted aldehyde isomerization products were found to rapidly react with HBpin to form boronate esters. These hydroboration reactions could be performed catalytically.

Toward anti-Markovnikov 1-Alkyne O-Phosphoramidation: Exploiting Metal-Ligand Cooperativity in a 1,3-N,O-Chelated Cp*Ir(III) Complex.

Metal-ligand cooperation between iridium(III) and a 1,3-N,O-chelating phosphoramidate ligand has been used to develop a protocol for the intermolecular O-phosphoramidation of 1-alkynes. This selective C-O bond-forming reaction differs from that of standard amidation reactions, highlighting the ability to control N- or O-functionalization based on judicious choice of N,O-chelating ligand and metal center. Advances toward the development of catalytic anti-Markovnikov O-phosphoramidation using iridium(III), including characterization of rare reactive intermediates that invoke 1,3-bidentate donor ligand hemilability, are disclosed.

Exploring Regioselective Bond Cleavage and Cross-Coupling Reactions using a Low-Valent Nickel Complex.

Recently, esters have received much attention as transmetalation partners for cross-coupling reactions. Herein, we report a systematic study of the reactivity of a series of esters and thioesters with [{(dtbpe)Ni}2(µ-η(2):η(2)-C6H6)] (dtbpe=1,2-bis(di-tert-butyl)phosphinoethane), which is a source of (dtbpe)nickel(0). Trifluoromethylthioesters were found to form η(2)-carbonyl complexes. In contrast, acetylthioesters underwent rapid Cacyl-S bond cleavage followed by decarbonylation to generate methylnickel complexes. This decarbonylation could be pushed backwards by the addition of CO, allowing for regeneration of the thioester. Most of the thioester complexes were found to undergo stoichiometric cross-coupling with phenylboronic acid to yield sulfides. While ethyl trifluoroacetate was also found to form an η(2)-carbonyl complex, phenyl esters were found to predominantly undergo Caryl-O bond cleavage to yield arylnickel complexes. These could also undergo transmetalation to yield biaryls. Attempts to render the reactions catalytic were hindered by ligand scrambling to yield nickel bis(acetate) complexes, the formation of which was supported by independent syntheses. Finally, 2-naphthyl acetate was also found to undergo clean Caryl-O bond cleavage, and although stoichiometric cross-coupling with phenylboronic acid proceeded with good yield, catalytic turnover has so far proven elusive.

Phosphoramidate-Supported Cp*Ir(III) Aminoborane H2 B=NR2 Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Solution Dynamics.

Reaction of aminoboranes H2 B=NR2 (R=iPr or Cy) with the cationic Cp*Ir(III) phosphoramidate complex [IrCp*{κ(2) -N,O-Xyl(N)P(O)(OEt)2 }][BAr(F) 4 ] generates the aminoborane complexes [IrCp*(H){κ(1) -N-η(2) -HB-Xyl(N)P(OBHNR2 )(OEt)2 }][BAr(F) 4 ] (R=iPr or Cy) in which coordination of a P=O bond with boron weakens the B=N multiple bond. For these complexes, solution- and solid-state, as well as DFT computational techniques, have been employed to substantiate B-N bond rotation of the coordinated aminoborane.

Reexamining Oxidation States during the Synthesis of 2-Rhodaoxetanes from Olefins.

Herein, we report experimental, spectroscopic, and computational data that indicate that a rhodium ethylene complex, formally described as rhodium(I) and which forms a 2-rhoda(III) oxetane following reaction with H2O2, is more accurately described as a rhodium(III) metallacyclopropane. X-ray absorption spectroscopy clearly demonstrates a change in the oxidation state at rhodium following ligand coordination with tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine. Both NMR and density functional theory studies suggest a high energy barrier to rotation of the coordinated ethylene, which is attributed to large geometric and electronic reorganization resulting from the loss of π-back-bonding. These results imply that the role of H2O2 in the formation of 2-rhoda(III) oxetanes is to oxidize the C2H4 fragment rather than the metal center, as has been previously suggested.

Capturing HBCy2: Using N,O-Chelated Complexes of Rhodium(I) and Iridium(I) for Chemoselective Hydroboration.

1,3-N,O-chelated complexes of Rh(I) and Ir(I) cooperatively and reversibly stabilized the B-H bond of HBCy2 to afford six-membered metallaheterocycles (M=Rh (7) or Ir (8)) having a δ-[M]⋅⋅⋅H-B agostic interaction. Treatment of these Shimoi-type borane adducts 7 or 8 with both an aldehyde and an alkene resulted in chemoselective aldehyde hydroboration and reformation of the 1,3-N,O-chelated starting material. The observed chemoselectivity is inverted from that of free HBCy2 , which is selective for alkene hydroboration.

Oxidation State Dependent Coordination Modes: Accessing an Amidate-Supported Nickel(I) δ-bis(C-H) Agostic Complex.

Amidate-supported two- and three-coordinate NiI complexes were synthesized by reduction of the corresponding NiII precursors. A dramatic change in binding mode is observed upon reduction from NiII to NiI . The NiI derivatives include an unprecedented NiI bis(C-H) agostic complex and a two-coordinate NiI complex.

Exclusive Csp(3)-Csp(3) vs Csp(2)-Csp(3) Reductive Elimination from Pt(IV) Governed by Ligand Constraints.

Selective reductive elimination of ethane (Csp(3)-Csp(3) RE) was observed following bromide abstraction and subsequent thermolysis of a Pt(IV) complex bearing both Csp(3)- and Csp(2)-hybridized hydrocarbyl ligands. Through a comparative experimental and theoretical study with two other Pt(IV) complexes featuring greater conformational flexibility of the ligand scaffold, we show that the rigidity of a meridionally coordinating ligand raises the barrier for Csp(2)-Csp(3) RE, resulting in unprecedented reactivity.

Synthesis of 2-Nickela(II)oxetanes from Nickel(0) and Epoxides: Structure, Reactivity, and a New Mechanism of Formation.

2-Nickelaoxetanes have been frequently invoked as reactive intermediates in catalytic reactions of epoxides using nickel, but have never been isolated or experimentally observed in these transformations. Herein, we report the preparation of a series of well-defined nickelaoxetanes formed via the oxidative addition of nickel(0) with epoxides featuring ketones. The stereochemistry of the products is retained, which has not yet been reported for nickelaoxetanes. Theoretical calculations support a bimetallic ring-opening/closing pathway over a concerted oxidative addition. Initial reactivity studies of a nickelaoxetane demonstrated protonolysis, oxidatively induced reductive elimination, deoxygenation, and elimination reactions when treated with the appropriate reagents.

Synthesis and Performance of a Biomimetic Indicator for Alkylating Agents.

4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP) is a colorimetric indicator compound for many types of carcinogenic alkylating agents. Because of the similar reactivity of NBP and guanine in DNA, NBP serves as a DNA model. NBP assays are used in the toxicological screening of pharmaceutical compounds, detection of chemical warfare agents, environmental hygiene technology, preliminary toxicology tests, mutagenicity of medicinal compounds, and other chemical analyses. Nevertheless, the use of NBP as a DNA model suffers from the compound's low water solubility, its lack of reactive oxygen sites, and dissimilar steric encumbrance compared to DNA. We report herein the design and synthesis of NBP derivatives that address some of these issues. These derivatives have been tested in solution and found to be superior in the colorimetric assay of the alkylating anticancer drug cyclophosphamide. The derivatives have also been integrated into a polymeric silica material which changes color upon the exposure to dangerous alkylating agents, such as iodomethane vapor, without the need for an exogenous base. This material modernizes the NBP assay from a time-consuming laboratory analysis to a real-time solid state sensor, which requires neither solvent nor additional reagents and can detect both gas- and solution-phase alkylating agents.

3-Rhoda-1,2-diazacyclopentanes: a series of novel metallacycle complexes derived from C-N functionalization of ethylene.

Rh-containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NR)2-]Cl; TPA = N,N,N,N-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh(I) ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η(2)-CH2CH2)]Cl ([1]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron-deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO2N=NCO2R; R = Et [3]Cl, R = iPr [4]Cl, R = tBu [5]Cl, and R = Bn [6]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD), [7]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho-fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3-rhoda-1,2-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N-N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]-N bond. In terms of reactivity, [3]Cl and [4]Cl successfully undergo ring-opening using p-toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh(III)(Cl)(κ(1)-(C)-CH2CH2(NCO2R)(NHCO2R)]OTs; [13]OTs and [14]OTs. Deprotection of [5]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end-on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NH)2-](+) [16]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [16]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NAc)2-](+), [17]Cl. Treatment of [1]Cl with AcN=NAc did not give the Rh-N insertion product, but instead the N,O-chelated complex [(TPA)Rh(I)(κ(2)-(O,N)-CH3(CO)(NH)(N=C(CH3)(OCH=CH2))]Cl [23]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]-O bond.

Nickel-catalyzed Csp2-Csp3 bond formation by carbon-fluorine activation.

We report herein a general catalytic method for Csp(2)-Csp(3) bond formation through C-F activation. The process uses an inexpensive nickel complex with either diorganozinc or alkylzinc halide reagents, including those with ß-hydrogen atoms. A variety of fluorine substitution patterns and functional groups can be readily incorporated. Sequential reactions involving different precatalysts and coupling partners permit the synthesis of densely functionalized fluorinated building blocks.

Formation of substituted oxa- and azarhodacyclobutanes.

The preparation of substituted oxa- and azarhodacyclobutanes is reported. After exchange of ethylene with a variety of unsymmetrically and symmetrically substituted alkenes, the corresponding rhodium-olefin complexes were oxidized with H2O2 and PhINTs (Ts=p-toluenesulfonyl) to yield the substituted oxa- and azarhodacyclobutanes, respectively. Oxarhodacyclobutanes could be prepared with excellent selectivity for incorporation of the oxygen atom on the more substituted carbon atom of the alkene. At the same time, azarhodacyclobutanes showed good-to-excellent selectivity for heteroatom incorporation on the less substituted carbon. Furthermore, it was shown that steric modifications of the ancillary ligand have a significant influence on the selectivity of Rh-olefin complex formation as well as formation of the substituted azametallacycles.