Binding of Nitriles and Isonitriles to V(III) and Mo(III) Complexes: Ligand vs Metal Controlled Mechanism.

The synthesis and structures of nitrile complexes of V(N[tBu]Ar)3, 2 (Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), are described. Thermochemical and kinetic data for their formation were determined by variable temperature Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), calorimetry, and stopped-flow techniques. The extent of back-bonding from metal to coordinated nitrile indicates that electron donation from the metal to the nitrile plays a less prominent role for 2 than for the related complex Mo(N[tBu]Ar)3, 1. Kinetic studies reveal similar rate constants for nitrile binding to 2, but the activation parameters depend critically on the nature of R in RCN. Activation enthalpies range from 2.9 to 7.2 kcal·mol-1, and activation entropies from -9 to -28 cal·mol-1·K-1 in an opposing manner. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a plausible explanation supporting the formation of a π-stacking interaction between a pendant arene of the metal anilide of 2 and the arene substituent on the incoming nitrile in favorable cases. Data for ligand binding to 1 do not exhibit this range of activation parameters and are clustered in a small area centered at ΔH‡ = 5.0 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS‡ = -26 cal·mol-1·K-1. Computational studies are in agreement with the experimental data and indicate a stronger dependence on electronic factors associated with the change in spin state upon ligand binding to 1.

Mechanistic Pathways for N2O Elimination from trans-R3Sn-O-N═N-O-SnR3 and for Reversible Binding of CO2 to R3Sn-O-SnR3 (R = Ph, Cy).

The rate and mechanism of the elimination of N2O from trans-R3Sn-O-N═N-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (1Ph) and R = Cy (1Cy)) to form R3Sn-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (2Ph) and R = Cy (2Cy)) have been studied using both NMR and IR techniques to monitor the reactions in the temperature range of 39-79 °C in C6D6. Activation parameters for this reaction are ΔH⧧ = 15.8 ± 2.0 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = -28.5 ± 5 cal·mol-1·K-1 for 1Ph and ΔH⧧ = 22.7 ± 2.5 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = -12.4 ± 6 cal·mol-1·K-1 for 1Cy. Addition of O2, CO2, N2O, or PPh3 to sealed tube NMR experiments did not alter in a detectable way the rate or product distribution of the reactions. Computational DFT studies of elimination of hyponitrite from trans-Me3Sn-O-N═N-O-SnMe3 (1Me) yield a mechanism involving initial migration of the R3Sn group from O to N passing through a marginally stable intermediate product and subsequent N2O elimination. Reactions of 1Ph with protic acids HX are rapid and lead to formation of R3SnX and trans-H2N2O2. Reaction of 1Ph with the metal radical •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 at low concentrations results in rapid evolution of N2O. At higher •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 concentrations, evolution of CO2 rather than N2O is observed. Addition of 1 atm or less CO2 to benzene or toluene solutions of 2Ph and 2Cy resulted in very rapid reaction to form the corresponding carbonates R3Sn-O-C(═O)-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (3Ph) and R = Cy (3Cy)) at room temperature. Evacuation results in fast loss of bound CO2 and regeneration of 2Ph and 2Cy. Variable temperature data for formation of 3Cy yield ΔHo = -8.7 ± 0.6 kcal·mol-1, ΔSo = -17.1 ± 2.0 cal·mol-1·K-1, and ΔGo298K = -3.6 ± 1.2 kcal·mol-1. DFT studies were performed and provide additional insight into the energetics and mechanisms for the reactions.

Molecular Design of Cyclopentadienyl Tantalum Sulfide Complexes.

Use of (Me3Si)2S and [Ta(η5-C5Me5)Cl4] (1) in a 4:3 ratio afforded the trimetallic sulfide cluster [Ta3(η5-C5Me5)3Cl3(µ3-Cl)(µ-S)3(µ3-S)] (2) with loss of SiClMe3. A similar reaction between 1, TaCl5, and (Me3Si)2S in a 2:1:4 ratio resulted in the analogous complex [Ta3(η5-C5Me5)2Cl4(µ3-Cl)(µ-S)3(µ3-S)] (3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 2 and 3 showed in all cases trinuclear tantalum sulfide clusters. On the other hand, thermal treatment of 2 with SiH3Ph generated very cleanly the dinuclear tantalum(IV) sulfide complex [Ta2(η5-C5Me5)2Cl2(µ-S)2] (4) in a quantitative way. Likewise, we found that 4 was synthesized more easily by a one-pot reaction of 1, (Me3Si)2S, and SiH3Ph in toluene. Reactions of 4 with a series of alkylating reagents rendered the dinuclear peralkylated sulfide complexes [Ta2(η5-C5Me5)2R2(µ-S)2] (R = Me 5, Et 6, CH2SiMe3 7, C3H5 8, Ph 9). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 4, 5, and 9 showed in all cases a trans disposition of the chloro or alkyl substituents. The short Ta-Ta distances (2.918(1)-2.951(1) Å) along with DFT calculations indicate a σ-Ta-Ta interaction. Complexes 5, 6, and 8 undergo trans- cis isomerization, and mechanistic proposals are discussed based on DFT calculations.

The Puzzling Monopentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium(III) Dichloride Reagent: Structure and Properties.

Following the track of the useful titanocene [Ti(η5-C5H5)2Cl] reagent in organic synthesis, the related half-sandwich titanium(III) derivatives [Ti(η5-C5R5)Cl2] are receiving increasing attention in radical chemistry of many catalyzed transformations. However, the structure of the active titanium(III) species remains unknown in the literature. Herein, we describe the synthesis, crystal structure, and electronic structure of titanium(III) aggregates of composition [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl2} n]. The thermolysis of [Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl2Me] (1) in benzene or hexane at 180 °C results in the clean formation of [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl(µ-Cl)}2] (2), methane, and ethene. The treatment of 1 with excess pinacolborane in hexane at 65 °C leads to a mixture of 2 and the paramagnetic trimer [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)(µ-Cl)2}3] (3). The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 2 and 3 show Ti-Ti distances of 3.267(1) and 3.219(12) Å, respectively. Computational studies (CASPT2//CASSCF and BS DFT methods) for dimer 2 reveal a singlet ground state and a relatively large singlet-triplet energy gap. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of 2 in aromatic hydrocarbon solutions and DFT calculations for several [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl2} n] aggregates are consistent with the existence of an equilibrium between the diamagnetic dimer [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl(µ-Cl)}2] and a paramagnetic tetramer [{Ti(η5-C5Me5)(µ-Cl)2}4] in solution. In contrast, complex 2 readily dissolves in tetrahydrofuran to give a green-blue solution from which blue crystals of the mononuclear adduct [Ti(η5-C5Me5)Cl2(thf)] (4) were grown.

Ligand-Directed Reactivity in Dioxygen and Water Binding to cis-[Pd(NHC)2(η2-O2)].

Reaction of [Pd(IPr)2] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and O2 leads to the surprising discovery that at low temperature the initial reaction product is a highly labile peroxide complex cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)]. At temperatures ≳ -40 °C, cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] adds a second O2 to form trans-[Pd(IPr)2(η1-O2)2]. Squid magnetometry and EPR studies yield data that are consistent with a singlet diradical ground state with a thermally accessible triplet state for this unique bis-superoxide complex. In addition to reaction with O2, cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] reacts at low temperature with H2O in methanol/ether solution to form trans-[Pd(IPr)2(OH)(OOH)]. The crystal structure of trans-[Pd(IPr)2(OOH)(OH)] is reported. Neither reaction with O2 nor reaction with H2O occurs under comparable conditions for cis-[Pd(IMes)2(η2-O2)] (IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The increased reactivity of cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] is attributed to the enthalpy of binding of O2 to [Pd(IPr)2] (-14.5 ± 1.0 kcal/mol) that is approximately one-half that of [Pd(IMes)2] (-27.9 ± 1.5 kcal/mol). Computational studies identify the cause as interligand repulsion forcing a wider C-Pd-C angle and tilting of the NHC plane in cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)]. Arene-arene interactions are more favorable and serve to further stabilize cis-[Pd(IMes)2(η2-O2)]. Inclusion of dispersion effects in DFT calculations leads to improved agreement between experimental and computational enthalpies of O2 binding. A complete reaction diagram is constructed for formation of trans-[Pd(IPr)2(η1-O2)2] and leads to the conclusion that kinetic factors inhibit formation of trans-[Pd(IMes)2(η1-O2)2] at the low temperatures at which it is thermodynamically favored. Failure to detect the predicted T-shaped intermediate trans-[Pd(NHC)2(η1-O2)] for either NHC = IMes or IPr is attributed to dynamic effects. A partial potential energy diagram for initial binding of O2 is constructed. A range of low-energy pathways at different angles of approach are present and blur the distinction between pure "side-on" or "end-on" trajectories for oxygen binding.

Mechanism and Scope of Phosphinidene Transfer from Dibenzo-7-phosphanorbornadiene Compounds.

Dibenzo-7-phosphanorbornadiene compounds, RPA (A = C14H10 or anthracene), are investigated as phosphinidene sources upon thermally induced (70-90 °C) anthracene elimination. Analysis of substituent effects reveals that π-donating dialkylamide groups are paramount to successful phosphinidene transfer; poorer π-donors give reduced or no transfer. Substituent steric bulk is also implicated in successful transfer. Molecular beam mass spectrometry (MBMS) studies of each derivative reveal dialkylamide derivatives to be promising precursors for further gas-phase spectroscopic studies of phosphinidenes; in particular, we present evidence of direct detection of the dimethylamide derivative, [Me2N═P]. Kinetic investigations of iPr2NPA thermolysis in 1,3-cyclohexadiene and/or benzene-d6 are consistent with a model of unimolecular fragmentation to yield free phosphinidene [iPr2N═P] as a transient reactive intermediate. This conclusion is probed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which favored a mechanistic model featuring free singlet aminophosphinidenes. The breadth of phosphinidene acceptors is expanded to unsaturated substrates beyond 1,3-dienes to include olefins and alkynes; this provides a new synthetic route to valuable amino-substituted phosphiranes and phosphirenes, respectively. Stereoselective phosphinidene transfer to olefins is consistent with singlet phosphinidene reactivity by analogy with the Skell hypothesis for singlet carbene addition to olefins.

Thermodynamic, Kinetic, Structural, and Computational Studies of the Ph3Sn-H, Ph3Sn-SnPh3, and Ph3Sn-Cr(CO)3C5Me5 Bond Dissociation Enthalpies.

The kinetics of the reaction of Ph3SnH with excess •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 = •Cr, producing HCr and Ph3Sn-Cr, was studied in toluene solution under 2-3 atm CO pressure in the temperature range of 17-43.5 °C. It was found to obey the rate equation d[Ph3Sn-Cr]/dt = k[Ph3SnH][•Cr] and exhibit a normal kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 1.12 ± 0.04). Variable-temperature studies yielded ΔH‡ = 15.7 ± 1.5 kcal/mol and ΔS‡ = -11 ± 5 cal/(mol·K) for the reaction. These data are interpreted in terms of a two-step mechanism involving a thermodynamically uphill hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) producing Ph3Sn• and HCr, followed by rapid trapping of Ph3Sn• by excess •Cr to produce Ph3Sn-Cr. Assuming an overbarrier of 2 ± 1 kcal/mol in the HAT step leads to a derived value of 76.0 ± 3.0 kcal/mol for the Ph3Sn-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) in toluene solution. The reaction enthalpy of Ph3SnH with excess •Cr was measured by reaction calorimetry in toluene solution, and a value of the Sn-Cr BDE in Ph3Sn-Cr of 50.4 ± 3.5 kcal/mol was derived. Qualitative studies of the reactions of other R3SnH compounds with •Cr are described for R = nBu, tBu, and Cy. The dehydrogenation reaction of 2Ph3SnH → H2 + Ph3SnSnPh3 was found to be rapid and quantitative in the presence of catalytic amounts of the complex Pd(IPr)(P(p-tolyl)3). The thermochemistry of this process was also studied in toluene solution using varying amounts of the Pd(0) catalyst. The value of ΔH = -15.8 ± 2.2 kcal/mol yields a value of the Sn-Sn BDE in Ph3SnSnPh3 of 63.8 ± 3.7 kcal/mol. Computational studies of the Sn-H, Sn-Sn, and Sn-Cr BDEs are in good agreement with experimental data and provide additional insight into factors controlling reactivity in these systems. The structures of Ph3Sn-Cr and Cy3Sn-Cr were determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported. Mechanistic aspects of oxidative addition reactions in this system are discussed.

Synthesis of novel chiral heterometallic terpene oximates: unusual generation of an aluminium enolate by a cooperative effect.

Al-K heterometallic terpene oximate derivatives with uncommon structural features are reported. These species react with an aryl ketone leading to heterometallic enolates via an unusual route. Isolation of a remarkable heterometallic Al-K enolate confirms the cooperative mechanism proposed by DFT calculations, where the oximate ligand has a prominent role. From these enolates the formation of new C-C bonds is straightforward.

Synthesis of [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(µ-H)]2, a Coordinatively Unsaturated Dinuclear Compound which Fragments upon Addition of Small Molecules to Form Mononuclear Pt-Sn Complexes.

The reaction of Pt(COD)2 with one equivalent of tri-tert-butylstannane, Bu(t)3SnH, at room temperature yields Pt(SnBu(t)3)(COD)(H)(3) in quantitative yield. In the presence of excess Bu(t)3SnH, the reaction goes further, yielding the dinuclear bridging stannylene complex [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(µ-SnBu(t)2)(H)2]2 (4). The dinuclear complex 4 reacts rapidly and reversibly with CO to furnish [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(µ-SnBu(t)2)(CO)(H)2]2 (5). Complex 3 reacts with N,N'-di-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidene, IBu(t), at room temperature to give the dinuclear bridging hydride complex [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(µ-H)]2 (6). Complex 6 reacts with CO, C2H4, and H2 to give the corresponding mononuclear Pt complexes Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(CO)(H)(7), Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(C2H4)(H)(8), and Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(H)3 (9), respectively. The reaction of IBu(t) with the complex Pt(SnBu(t)3)2(CO)2 (10) yielded an abnormal Pt-carbene complex Pt(SnBu(t)3)2(aIBu(t))(CO) (11). DFT computational studies of the dimeric complexes [Pt(SnR3)(NHC)(µ-H)]2, the potentially more reactive monomeric complexes Pt(SnR3)(NHC)(H) and the trihydride species Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(H)3 have been performed, for NHC = IMe and R = Me and for NHC = IBu(t) and R = Bu(t). The structures of complexes 3-8 and 11 have been determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported.

Role of axial base coordination in isonitrile binding and chalcogen atom transfer to vanadium(III) complexes.

The enthalpy of oxygen atom transfer (OAT) to V[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1, forming OV[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1-O, and the enthalpies of sulfur atom transfer (SAT) to 1 and V(N[t-Bu]Ar)3, 2 (Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2), forming the corresponding sulfides SV[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1-S, and SV(N[t-Bu]Ar)3, 2-S, have been measured by solution calorimetry in toluene solution using dbabhNO (dbabhNO = 7-nitroso-2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) and Ph3SbS as chalcogen atom transfer reagents. The V-O BDE in 1-O is 6.3 ± 3.2 kcal·mol(-1) lower than the previously reported value for 2-O and the V-S BDE in 1-S is 3.3 ± 3.1 kcal·mol(-1) lower than that in 2-S. These differences are attributed primarily to a weakening of the V-Naxial bond present in complexes of 1 upon oxidation. The rate of reaction of 1 with dbabhNO has been studied by low temperature stopped-flow kinetics. Rate constants for OAT are over 20 times greater than those reported for 2. Adamantyl isonitrile (AdNC) binds rapidly and quantitatively to both 1 and 2 forming high spin adducts of V(III). The enthalpies of ligand addition to 1 and 2 in toluene solution are -19.9 ± 0.6 and -17.1 ± 0.7 kcal·mol(-1), respectively. The more exothermic ligand addition to 1 as compared to 2 is opposite to what was observed for OAT and SAT. This is attributed to less weakening of the V-Naxial bond in ligand binding as opposed to chalcogen atom transfer and is in keeping with structural data and computations. The structures of 1, 1-O, 1-S, 1-CNAd, and 2-CNAd have been determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported.

A retro Diels-Alder route to diphosphorus chemistry: molecular precursor synthesis, kinetics of P2 transfer to 1,3-dienes, and detection of P2 by molecular beam mass spectrometry.

The transannular diphosphorus bisanthracene adduct P2A2 (A = anthracene or C14H10) was synthesized from the 7-phosphadibenzonorbornadiene Me2NPA through a synthetic sequence involving chlorophosphine ClPA (28-35%) and the tetracyclic salt [P2A2Cl][AlCl4] (65%) as isolated intermediates. P2A2 was found to transfer P2 efficiently to 1,3-cyclohexadiene (CHD), 1,3-butadiene (BD), and (C2H4)Pt(PPh3)2 to form P2(CHD)2 (>90%), P2(BD)2 (69%), and (P2)[Pt(PPh3)2]2 (47%), respectively, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction as the complex [CpMo(CO)3(P2A2)][BF4]. Experimental and computational thermodynamic activation parameters for the thermolysis of P2A2 in a solution containing different amounts of CHD (0, 4.75, and 182 equiv) have been obtained and suggest that P2A2 thermally transfers P2 to CHD through two competitive routes: (i) an associative pathway in which reactive intermediate [P2A] adds the first molecule of CHD before departure of the second anthracene, and (ii) a dissociative pathway in which [P2A] fragments to P2 and A prior to addition of CHD. Additionally, a molecular beam mass spectrometry study on the thermolysis of solid P2A2 reveals the direct detection of molecular fragments of only P2 and anthracene, thus establishing a link between solution-phase P2-transfer chemistry and production of gas-phase P2 by mild thermal activation of a molecular precursor.

Functionalization reactions characteristic of a robust bicyclic diphosphane framework.

The 3,4,8,9-tetramethyl-1,6-diphospha-bicyclo-[4.4.0]deca-3,8-diene (P2(C6H10)2) framework containing a P-P bond has allowed for an unprecedented selectivity toward functionalization of a single phosphorus lone pair with reference to acyclic diphosphane molecules. Functionalization at the second phosphorus atom was found to proceed at a significantly slower rate, thus opening the pathway for obtaining mixed functional groups for a pair of P-P bonded λ(5)-phosphorus atoms. Reactivity with the chalcogen-atom donors MesCNO (Mes = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3) and SSbPh3 has allowed for the selective synthesis of the diphosphane chalcogenides OP2(C6H10)2 (87%), O2P2(C6H10)2 (94%), SP2(C6H10)2 (56%), and S2P2(C6H10)2 (87%). Computational studies indicate that the oxygen-atom transfer reactions involve penta-coordinated phosphorus intermediates that have four-membered {PONC} cycles. The P-E bond dissociation enthalpies in EP2(C6H10)2 were measured via calorimetric studies to be 134.7 ± 2.1 kcal/mol for P-O, and 93 ± 3 kcal/mol for P-S, respectively, in good agreement with the computed values. Additional reactivity with breaking of the P-P bond and formation of diphosphinate O3P2(C6H10)2 was only observed to occur upon heating of dimethylsulfoxide solutions of the precursor. Reactivity of diphosphane P2(C6H10)2 with azides allowed the isolation of monoiminophosphoranes (RN)P2(C6H10)2(R = Mes, CPh3, SiMe3), and treatment with additional MesN3 yielded symmetric and unsymmetric diiminodiphosphoranes (RN)(MesN)P2(C6H10)2 (91% for R = Mes). Metalation reactions with the bulky diiminodiphosphorane ligand (MesN)2P2(C6H10)2 (nppn) allowed for the isolation and characterization of (nppn)Mo(η(3)-C3H5)Cl(CO)2 (91%), (nppn)NiCl2 (76%), and [(nppn)Ni(η(3)-2-C3H4Me)][OTf] showing that these ligands provide an attractive preorganized binding pocket for both late and early transition metals.

Thermodynamic and kinetic study of cleavage of the N-O bond of N-oxides by a vanadium(III) complex: enhanced oxygen atom transfer reaction rates for adducts of nitrous oxide and mesityl nitrile oxide.

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and computational studies are reported for oxygen atom transfer (OAT) to the complex V(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2, 1) from compounds containing N-O bonds with a range of BDEs spanning nearly 100 kcal mol(-1): PhNO (108) > SIPr/MesCNO (75) > PyO (63) > IPr/N2O (62) > MesCNO (53) > N2O (40) > dbabhNO (10) (Mes = mesityl; SIPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropyl)phenylimidazolin-2-ylidene; Py = pyridine; IPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropyl)phenylimidazol-2-ylidene; dbabh = 2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene). Stopped flow kinetic studies of the OAT reactions show a range of kinetic behavior influenced by both the mode and strength of coordination of the O donor and its ease of atom transfer. Four categories of kinetic behavior are observed depending upon the magnitudes of the rate constants involved: (I) dinuclear OAT following an overall third order rate law (N2O); (II) formation of stable oxidant-bound complexes followed by OAT in a separate step (PyO and PhNO); (III) transient formation and decay of metastable oxidant-bound intermediates on the same time scale as OAT (SIPr/MesCNO and IPr/N2O); (IV) steady-state kinetics in which no detectable intermediates are observed (dbabhNO and MesCNO). Thermochemical studies of OAT to 1 show that the V-O bond in O≡V(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 is strong (BDE = 154 ± 3 kcal mol(-1)) compared with all the N-O bonds cleaved. In contrast, measurement of the N-O bond in dbabhNO show it to be especially weak (BDE = 10 ± 3 kcal mol(-1)) and that dissociation of dbabhNO to anthracene, N2, and a (3)O atom is thermodynamically favorable at room temperature. Comparison of the OAT of adducts of N2O and MesCNO to the bulky complex 1 show a faster rate than in the case of free N2O or MesCNO despite increased steric hindrance of the adducts.

Two-step binding of O2 to a vanadium(III) trisanilide complex to form a non-vanadyl vanadium(V) peroxo complex.

Treatment of V(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3) (1) (Ar = 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) with O(2) was shown by stopped-flow kinetic studies to result in the rapid formation of (η(1)-O(2))V(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3) (2) (ΔH(‡) = 3.3 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and ΔS(‡) = -22 ± 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1)), which subsequently isomerizes to (η(2)-O(2))V(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3) (3) (ΔH(‡) = 10.3 ± 0.9 kcal/mol and ΔS(‡) = -6 ± 4 cal mol(-1) K(-1)). The enthalpy of binding of O(2) to form 3 is -75.0 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, as measured by solution calorimetry. The reaction of 3 and 1 to form 2 equiv of O≡V(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3) (4) occurs by initial isomerization of 3 to 2. The results of computational studies of this rearrangement (ΔH = 4.2 kcal/mol; ΔH(‡) = 16 kcal/mol) are in accord with experimental data (ΔH = 4 ± 3 kcal/mol; ΔH(‡) = 14 ± 3 kcal/mol). With the aim of suppressing the formation of 4, the reaction of O(2) with 1 in the presence of (t)BuCN was studied. At -45 °C, the principal products of this reaction are 3 and (t)BuC(═O)N≡V(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3) (5), in which the bound nitrile has been oxidized. Crystal structures of 3 and 5 are reported.

Modulating nitric oxide release by S-nitrosothiol photocleavage: mechanism and substituent effects.

The photochemistry and photophysics of a series of S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) have been studied computationally. The photocleavage mechanism of the model compound CH(3)SNO to release CH(3)S· and ·NO was studied at the CASPT2 level resulting in a barrierless process when irradiating in the visible region (S(1)), in the near UV region (S(2)) and for photosensitized (T(1)) reaction. The absorption energy required to initiate photocleavage was calculated at the CASPT2 and B3P86 levels showing the possibility of the modulation of NO release by RSNO photoactivation as a function of the substituent R. Good correlations between the wavelengths of the lowest energy (1)(n,π*) and (1)(π,π*) transitions of aryl S-nitrosothiols and the corresponding Hammett constants of the substituents have been obtained.

Substituent effects on the thermochemistry of thiophenes. a theoretical (G3(MP2)//B3LYP and G3) study.

Very good linear correlations between experimental and calculated enthalpies of formation in the gas phase (G3(MP2)//B3LYP and G3) for 48 thiophene derivatives have been obtained. These correlations permit a correction of the calculated enthalpies of formation in order to estimate more reliable "experimental" values for the enthalpies of formation of substituted thiophenes, check the reliability of experimental measurements, and also predict the enthalpies of formation of new thiophenes that are not available in the literature. Moreover, the difference between the enthalpies of formation of isomeric thiophenes with the same substituent in positions 2 and 3 of the ring has been analyzed. Likewise, a comparison of the substituent effect in the thiophene and benzene rings has been established.

Structural Substituent Effect in the Excitation Energy of a Chromophore: Quantitative Determination and Application to S-Nitrosothiols.

A methodology for the prediction of excitation energies for substituted chromophores on the basis of ground state structures has been developed. The formalism introduces the concept of "structural substituent excitation energy effect" for the rational prediction and quantification of the substituent effect in the excitation energy of a chromophore to an excited electronic state. This effect quantifies exclusively the excitation energy variation due to the structural changes of the chromophore induced by the substituent. Therefore, excitation bathochromic and hypsochromic shifts of substituted chromophores can be predicted on the basis of known ground and excited potential energy surfaces of a reference unsubstituted chromophore, together with the ground state minimum energy structure of the substituted chromophore. This formalism can be applied if the chemical substitution does not affect the nature of the electronic excitation, where the substituent effect can be understood as a force acting on the chromophore and provoking a structural change on it. The developed formalism provides a useful tool for quantitative and qualitative determination of the excitation energy of substituted chromophores and also for the analysis and determination of the structural changes affecting this energy. The proposed methodology has been applied to the prediction of the excitation energy to the first bright state of several S-nitrosothiols using the potential energy surfaces of methyl-S-nitrosothiol as a reference unsubstituted chromophore.

Lewis acid fragmentation of a lithium aryloxide cage: generation of new heterometallic aluminium-lithium species.

Heterometallic aluminium-lithium species were prepared by the fragmentation reaction of the hexametallic cage compound [Li{2,6-(MeO)(2)C(6)H(3)O}](6) (1) with alkyl aluminium derivatives. Depending on the aluminium precursor, the species formed present different nuclearities in the solid state as shown by single crystal X-ray analysis. Spectroscopic and computational studies have been performed to study the nuclearity of the synthesized compounds in solution.

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanistic study of oxygen atom transfer from mesityl nitrile oxide to phosphines and to a terminal metal phosphido complex.

The enthalpies of oxygen atom transfer (OAT) from mesityl nitrile oxide (MesCNO) to Me(3)P, Cy(3)P, Ph(3)P, and the complex (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP (Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)Me(2)) have been measured by solution calorimetry yielding the following P-O bond dissociation enthalpy estimates in toluene solution (±3 kcal mol(-1)): Me(3)PO [138.5], Cy(3)PO [137.6], Ph(3)PO [132.2], (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO [108.9]. The data for (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO yield an estimate of 60.2 kcal mol(-1) for dissociation of PO from (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO. The mechanism of OAT from MesCNO to R(3)P and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP has been investigated by UV-vis and FTIR kinetic studies as well as computationally. Reactivity of R(3)P and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP with MesCNO is proposed to occur by nucleophilic attack by the lone pair of electrons on the phosphine or phosphide to the electrophilic C atom of MesCNO forming an adduct rather than direct attack at the terminal O. This mechanism is supported by computational studies. In addition, reaction of the N-heterocyclic carbene SIPr (SIPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropyl)phenylimidazolin-2-ylidene) with MesCNO results in formation of a stable adduct in which the lone pair of the carbene attacks the C atom of MesCNO. The crystal structure of the blue SIPr·MesCNO adduct is reported, and resembles one of the computed structures for attack of the lone pair of electrons of Me(3)P on the C atom of MesCNO. Furthermore, this adduct in which the electrophilic C atom of MesCNO is blocked by coordination to the NHC does not undergo OAT with R(3)P. However, it does undergo rapid OAT with coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes such as (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)V since these proceed by attack of the unblocked terminal O site of the SIPr·MesCNO adduct rather than at the blocked C site. OAT from MesCNO to pyridine, tetrahydrothiophene, and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoN was found not to proceed in spite of thermochemical favorability.

Experimental and computational thermochemical study of barbituric acids: structure-energy relationship in 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid.

This paper reports an experimental and computational thermochemical study on 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid. The value of the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpy of formation in the gas phase at T = 298.15 K has been determined. The energy of combustion was measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry, and from the result obtained, the standard molar enthalpy of formation in the crystalline state at T = 298.15 K was calculated as -639.6 ± 1.9 kJ·mol(-1). The enthalpy of sublimation was determined using a transference (transpiration) method in a saturated N(2) stream and a value of the enthalpy of sublimation at T = 298.15 K was derived as 92.3 ± 0.6 kJ·mol(-1). From these results a value of -547.3 ± 2.0 kJ·mol(-1) for the gas-phase enthalpy of formation at T = 298.15 K was determined. Theoretical calculations at the G3 and G4 levels were performed, and a study on molecular and electronic structure of the compound has been carried out. Calculated enthalpies of formation are in very good agreement with the experimental value.