Cooperative activating effects of metal ion and Brønsted acid on a metal oxo species.

Metal oxo (M[double bond, length as m-dash]O) complexes are common oxidants in chemical and biological systems. The use of Lewis acids to activate metal oxo species has attracted great interest in recent years, especially after the discovery of the CaMn4O5 cluster in the oxygen-evolving centre of photosystem II. Strong Lewis acids such as Sc3+ and BF3, as well as strong Brønsted acids such as H2SO4 and CF3SO3H, are commonly used to activate metal oxo species. In this work, we demonstrate that relatively weak Lewis acids such as Ca2+ and other group 2 metal ions, as well as weak Brønsted acids such as CH3CO2H, can readily activate the stable RuO4 - complex towards the oxidation of alkanes. Notably, the use of Ca2+ and CH3CO2H together produces a remarkable cooperative effect on RuO4 -, resulting in a much more efficient oxidant. DFT calculations show that Ca2+ and CH3CO2H can bind to two oxo ligands to form a chelate ring. This results in substantial lowering of the barrier for hydrogen atom abstraction from cyclohexane.

Mechanism of Water Oxidation by Ferrate(VI) at pH†7-9.

The kinetics of water oxidation by K2 FeO4 has been reinvestigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry from pH 7-9 in 0.2 m phosphate buffer. The rate of reaction was found to be second-order in both [FeO4 2- ] and [H+ ]. These results are consistent with a proposed mechanism in which the first step involves the initial equilibrium protonation of FeO4 2- to give FeO3 (OH)- , which then undergoes rate-limiting O-O bond formation. Analysis of the O2 isotopic composition for the reaction in H2 18 O suggests that the predominant pathway for water oxidation by ferrate is intramolecular O-O coupling. DFT calculations have also been performed, which support the proposed mechanism.

A hydrogen-atom transfer mechanism in the oxidation of alcohols by [FeO4]2- in aqueous solution.

The ferrate(vi) ion, [FeO4]2-, has attracted much interest in recent years because of its potential use as a green oxidant in organic synthesis and water treatment. Although there have been several reports on the use of ferrate(vi) for the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds, the mechanism remains unclear. In this work, the kinetics of the oxidation of a series of alcohols with α-C-H bond dissociation energies ranging from 81 to 95 kcal mol-1 have been studied by UV/Vis spectrophotometry. The reactions are first-order in both [FeO4]2- and [alcohol]. The deuterium isotope effects for the oxidation of methanol/d4-methanol, ethanol/d6-ethanol and benzyl alcohol/d7-benzyl alcohol are 18.0 ± 0.1, 4.1 ± 0.1 and 11.2 ± 0.1, respectively. A linear correlation is found between the second-order rate constants and the α-C-H bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of the alcohols, consistent with a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. The proposed HAT mechanism is supported by DFT calculations.

Proton-Coupled O-Atom Transfer in the Oxidation of HSO3- by the Ruthenium Oxo Complex trans-[RuVI(TMC)(O)2]2+ (TMC = 1,4,8,11-Tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane).

We have previously reported that the oxidation of SO32- to SO42- by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex, [RuVI(TMC)(O)2)]2+ (RuVI; TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazcyclotetradecane) in aqueous solutions occurs via an O-atom transfer mechanism. In this work, we have reinvestigated the effects of the pH on the oxidation of SIV by RuVI in more detail in order to obtain kinetic data for the HSO3- pathway. The HSO3- pathway exhibits a deuterium isotope effect of 17.4, which indicates that O-H bond breaking occurs in the rate-limiting step. Density functional theory calculations have been performed that suggest that the oxidation of HSO3- by RuVI may occur via a concerted or stepwise proton-coupled O-atom transfer mechanism.

Highly Selective and Efficient Ring Hydroxylation of Alkylbenzenes with Hydrogen Peroxide and an Osmium(VI) Nitrido Catalyst.

The OsVI nitrido complex, OsVI (N)(quin)2 (OTs) (1, quin=2-quinaldinate, OTs=tosylate), is a highly selective and efficient catalyst for the ring hydroxylation of alkylbenzenes with H2 O2 at room temperature. Oxidation of various alkylbenzenes occurs with ring/chain oxidation ratios ranging from 96.7/3.3 to 99.9/0.1, and total product yields from 93 % to 98 %. Moreover, turnover numbers up to 6360, 5670, and 3880 can be achieved for the oxidation of p-xylene, ethylbenzene, and mesitylene, respectively. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the active intermediate is an OsVIII nitrido oxo species.

A quantum-rovibrational-state-selected study of the reaction in the collision energy range of 0.05-10.00 eV: translational, rotational, and vibrational energy effects.

We report detailed absolute integral cross sections (σ's) for the quantum-rovibrational-state-selected ion-molecule reaction in the center-of-mass collision energy (Ecm) range of 0.05-10.00 eV, where (vvv) = (000), (100), and (020), and . Three product channels, HCO+ + OH, HOCO+ + H, and CO+ + H2O, are identified. The measured σ(HCO+) curve [σ(HCO+) versus Ecm plot] supports the hypothesis that the formation of the HCO+ + OH channel follows an exothermic pathway with no potential energy barriers. Although the HOCO+ + H channel is the most exothermic, the σ(HOCO+) is found to be significantly lower than the σ(HCO+). The σ(HOCO+) curve is bimodal, indicating two distinct mechanisms for the formation of HOCO+. The σ(HOCO+) is strongly inhibited at Ecm < 0.4 eV, but is enhanced at Ecm > 0.4 eV by (100) vibrational excitation. The Ecm onsets of σ(CO+) determined for the (000) and (100) vibrational states are in excellent agreement with the known thermochemical thresholds. This observation, along with the comparison of the σ(CO+) curves for the (100) and (000) states, shows that kinetic and vibrational energies are equally effective in promoting the CO+ channel. We have also performed high-level ab initio quantum calculations on the potential energy surface, intermediates, and transition state structures for the titled reaction. The calculations reveal potential barriers of ≈0.5-0.6 eV for the formation of HOCO+, and thus account for the low σ(HOCO+) and its bimodal profile observed. The Ecm enhancement for σ(HOCO+) at Ecm ≈ 0.5-5.0 eV can be attributed to the direct collision mechanism, whereas the formation of HOCO+ at low Ecm < 0.4 eV may involve a complex mechanism, which is mediated by the formation of a loosely sticking complex between HCO+ and OH. The direct collision and complex mechanisms proposed also allow the rationalization of the vibrational inhibition at low Ecm and the vibrational enhancement at high Ecm observed for the σ(HOCO+).

Oxidation of hydroquinones by a (salen)ruthenium(vi) nitrido complex.

Hydroquinone is readily oxidized by a (salen)ruthenium(vi) nitrido complex in the presence of pyridine to give benzoquinone. Experimental and computational studies suggest that the reaction occurs via a novel mechanism that involves an initial electrophilic attack at the aromatic ring of the hydroquinone by the nitrido ligand.

Multifaceted chelating µ-(η(3):η(3)-antifacial)-(cis-C4R2H2) coordination motif in binuclear complexes.

A novel µ-C4R2H2 core structure (formed by an unprecedented regioselective, redox-neutral C(sp(2))-C(sp(2)) coupling process) in binuclear group 4 complexes displays adaptable coordination and accommodates different metal sizes, and is sufficiently robust to promote interesting catalytic reactivity at the bimetallic centers.

Ca(2+) -Induced Oxygen Generation by FeO4(2-) at pH†9-10.

Although FeO4(2-) (ferrate(IV)) is a very strong oxidant that readily oxidizes water in acidic medium, at pH 9-10 it is relatively stable (<2 % decomposition after 1 h at 298 K). However, FeO4(2-) is readily activated by Ca(2+) at pH 9-10 to generate O2. The reaction has the following rate law: d[O2]/dt=kCa [Ca(2+) ][FeO4(2-)](2). (18)O-labeling experiments show that both O atoms in O2 come from FeO4(2-). These results together with DFT calculations suggest that the function of Ca(2+) is to facilitate O-O coupling between two FeO4 (2-) ions by bridging them together. Similar activating effects are also observed with Mg(2+) and Sr(2+).

Functionalization of alkynes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.

Exploring new reactivity of metal nitrides is of great interest because it can give insights to N2 fixation chemistry and provide new methods for nitrogenation of organic substrates. In this work, reaction of a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex with various alkynes results in the formation of novel (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes. Kinetic and computational studies suggest that the reactions go through an initial ruthenium(IV) aziro intermediate, followed by addition of nucleophiles to give the (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes. These unprecedented reactions provide a new pathway for nitrogenation of alkynes based on a metal nitride.

High-level ab initio predictions for the ionization energy, electron affinity, and heats of formation of cyclopentadienyl radical, cation, and anion, C5H5/C5H5+/C5H5-.

The ionization energy (IE), electron affinity (EA), and heats of formation (ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298) for cyclopentadienyl radical, cation, and anion, C5H5/C5H5(+)/C5H5(-), have been calculated by wave function-based ab initio CCSDT/CBS approach, which involves approximation to complete basis set (CBS) limit at coupled-cluster level with up to full triple excitations (CCSDT). The zero-point vibrational energy correction, core-valence electronic correction, scalar relativistic effect, and higher-order corrections beyond the CCSD(T) wave function are included in these calculations. The allylic [C5H5((2)A2)] and dienylic [C5H5((2)B1)] forms of cyclopentadienyl radical are considered: the ground state structure exists in the dienyl form and it is about 30 meV more stable than the allylic structure. Both structures are lying closely and are interconvertible along the normal mode of b2 in-plane vibration. The CCSDT/CBS predictions (in eV) for IE[C5H5(+)((3)A1')←C5H5((2)B1)] = 8.443, IE[C5H5(+)((1)A1)←C5H5((2)B1)] = 8.634 and EA[C5H5(-)((1)A1')←C5H5((2)B1)] = 1.785 are consistent with the respective experimental values of 8.4268 ± 0.0005, 8.6170 ± 0.0005, and 1.808 ± 0.006, obtained from photoelectron spectroscopic measurements. The ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298's (in kJ/mol) for C5H5/C5H5(+)/C5H5(-) have also been predicted by the CCSDT/CBS method: ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298[C5H5((2)B1)] = 283.6/272.0, ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298[C5H5(+)((3)A1')] = 1098.2/1086.9, ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298[C5H5(+)((1)A1)] = 1116.6/1106.0, and ΔH°f0/ΔH°f298[C5H5(-)((1)A1')] = 111.4/100.0. The comparisons between the CCSDT/CBS predictions and the experimental values suggest that the CCSDT/CBS procedure is capable of predicting reliable IE(C5H5)'s and EA(C5H5) with uncertainties of ± 17 and ± 23 meV, respectively.

Lewis acid-activated oxidation of alcohols by permanganate.

The oxidation of alcohols by KMnO(4) is greatly accelerated by various Lewis acids. Notably the rate is increased by 4 orders of magnitude in the presence of Ca(2+). The mechanisms of the oxidation of CH(3)OH and PhCH(OH)CH(3) by MnO(4)(-) and BF(3)·MnO(4)(-) have also been studied computationally by the DFT method.

Epoxidation of alkenes and oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by a manganese(V) nitrido complex.

The manganese(V) nitrido complex (PPh(4))(2)[Mn(N)(CN)(4)] is an active catalyst for alkene epoxidation and alcohol oxidation using H(2)O(2) as an oxidant. The catalytic oxidation is greatly enhanced by the addition of just one equivalent of acetic acid. The oxidation of ethene by this system has been studied computationally by the DFT method.

High-level ab initio predictions for the ionization energies and heats of formation of five-membered-ring molecules: thiophene, furan, pyrrole, 1,3-cyclopentadiene, and borole, C4H4X/C4H4X+ (X = S, O, NH, CH2, and BH).

The ionization energies (IEs) and heats of formation (ΔH°(f0)/ΔH°(f298)) for thiophene (C(4)H(4)S), furan (C(4)H(4)O), pyrrole (C(4)H(4)NH), 1,3-cyclopentadiene (C(4)H(4)CH(2)), and borole (C(4)H(4)BH) have been calculated by the wave function-based ab initio CCSD(T)/CBS approach, which involves the approximation to the complete basis set (CBS) limit at the coupled-cluster level with single and double excitations plus a quasi-perturbative triple excitation [CCSD(T)]. Where appropriate, the zero-point vibrational energy correction (ZPVE), the core-valence electronic correction (CV), and the scalar relativistic effect (SR) are included in these calculations. The respective CCSD(T)/CBS predictions for C(4)H(4)S, C(4)H(4)O, C(4)H(4)NH, and C(4)H(4)CH(2), being 8.888, 8.897, 8.222, and 8.582 eV, are in excellent agreement with the experimental values obtained from previous photoelectron and photoion measurements. The ΔH°(f0)/ΔH°(f298) values for the aforementioned molecules and their corresponding cations have also been predicted by the CCSD(T)/CBS method, and the results are compared with the available experimental data. The comparisons between the CCSD(T)/CBS predictions and the experimental values for C(4)H(4)S, C(4)H(4)O, C(4)H(4)NH, and C(4)H(4)CH(2) suggest that the CCSD(T)/CBS procedure is capable of predicting reliable IE values for five-membered-ring molecules with an uncertainty of ±13 meV. In view of the excellent agreements between the CCSD(T)/CBS predictions and the experimental values for C(4)H(4)S, C(4)H(4)O, C(4)H(4)NH, and C(4)H(4)CH(2), the similar CCSD(T)/CBS IE and ΔH°(f0)/ΔH°(f298) predictions for C(4)H(4)BH, whose thermochemical data are not readily available due to its reactive nature, should constitute a reliable data set. The CCSD(T)/CBS IE(C(4)H(4)BH) value is 8.868 eV, and ΔH°(f0)/ΔH°(f298) values for C(4)H(4)BH and C(4)H(4)BH(+) are 269.5/258.6 and 1125.1/1114.6 kJ/mol, respectively. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) of C(4)H(4)S, C(4)H(4)O, C(4)H(4)NH, C(4)H(4)CH(2), and C(4)H(4)BH have also been studied by the natural bond orbital (NBO) method, and the extent of π-electron delocalization in these five-membered rings are discussed in correlation with their molecular structures and orbitals.

Conformation-specific pathways of beta-alanine: a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization and theoretical study.

We report a photoionization and dissociative photoionization study of beta-alanine using IR laser desorption combined with synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization mass spectrometry. Fragments at m/z = 45, 44, 43, and 30 yielded from photoionization are assigned to NH(3)CH(2)CH(2)(+), NH(2)CHCH(3)(+), NH(2)CHCH(2)(+), and NH(2)CH(2)(+), respectively. Some new conformation-specific dissociation channels and corresponding dissociation energies for the observed fragments are established and determined with the help of ab initio G3B3 calculations and measurements of photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectra. The theoretical values are in fair agreement with the experimental results. Three low-lying conformers of the beta-alanine cation, including two gauche conformers G1+, G2+ and one anti conformer A+ are investigated by G3B3 calculations. The conformer G1+ (intramolecular hydrogen bonding N-H...OC) is found to be another precursor in forming the NH(3)CH(2)CH(2)(+) ion, which is complementary to the previously reported formation pathway that only occurs with the conformer G2+ (intramolecular hydrogen bonding O-H...N). Species NH(2)CHCH(2)(+) may come from the contributions of G1+, G2+, and A+ via different dissociation pathways. The most abundant fragment ion, NH(2)CH(2)(+), is formed from a direct C-C bond cleavage. Intramolecular hydrogen transfer processes dominate most of the fragmentation pathways of the beta-alanine cation.