Bis(Iminophosphorano)-Substituted Pyridinium Ions and their Corresponding Bispyridinylidene Organic Electron Donors.

Optimized synthetic procedures for pyridinium ions featuring iminophosphorano (-N=PR3 ; R=Ph, Cy) π-donor substituents in the 2- and 4- positions are described. Crystallographic and theoretical studies reveal that the strongly donating substituents severely polarize the π-electrons of the pyridyl ring at the expense of aromaticity. Moreover, the pyridinium ions are readily deprotonated to generate powerful bispyridinylidene (BPY) organic electron donors. Electrochemical studies show exceptionally low redox potentials for the two-electron BPY/BPY2+ couples, ranging from -1.71 V vs the saturated calomel electrode for 3PhPh (with four Ph3 P=N- groups) to -1.85 V for 3CyCy (with four Cy3 P=N- groups). These new compounds represent the most reducing neutral organic electron donors (OEDs) currently known. Some preliminary reductions involving 3CyCy showed enhanced capability owing to its low redox potential, such as the thermally activated reduction of an aryl chloride, but purification challenges were often encountered.

Iminophosphorano-Substituted Bispyridinylidenes: Redox Potentials and Substituent Constants from Tolman Electronic Parameters.

Bispyridinylidenes (BPYs) have emerged as an important class of neutral organic electron donors, with redox potentials that vary widely with choice of substituent. Methods to predict the effect of substitution on the redox potential are therefore highly desirable. Here we show that the redox potential of BPYs featuring iminophosphorano substituents (R3 P=N-), which represent the most reducing class of BPYs, can be predicted based on the well-known Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) for the respective phosphine fragment (R3 P). Moreover, building on earlier work relating redox potentials to Hammett-type substituent constants, it is now possible to quantitatively predict σp + values for iminophosphorano substituents from TEP values. These results provide a path for precisely tailoring redox potentials of iminophosphorano-substituted BPYs, but also give quantitative descriptors for how these highly versatile iminophosphorano substituents can impact the properties of any molecular scaffold.

Thioarylmaleimides: accessible, tunable, and strongly emissive building blocks.

A series of thioarylmaleimides was synthesized to investigate how variation of the thioaryl group can be used to control absorption and emission properties in solution and in the solid-state. Fine-tuning of the photochemical properties was found to be possible using this strategy, and a rainbow of colours and emission wavelengths are accessible in a single step from commercially available compounds.

A strong organic electron donor incorporating highly π-donating triphenylphosphonium ylidyl substituents.

The π-electron donor strength of a triphenylphosphonium ylidyl group (Ph3P[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-) was explored through its substitution onto a bispyridinylidene (BPY) scaffold. Electrochemical studies revealed that the new triphenylphosphonium ylidyl-substituted BPY is the most reducing di-substituted derivative reported to date (E1/2 = -1.55 V vs. SCE). By using a previously established correlation between the redox potential of the substituted BPYs and the corresponding substituent, a Hammett constant for the Ph3P[double bond, length as m-dash]CH- group was determined (σp+ = -2.33), establishing it as the most donating neutral substituent currently quantified. The BPY is readily oxidized by hexachloroethane to produce the corresponding dicationic bipyridinium salt as a mixture of isomers owing to hindered Cylidyl-Cpyridyl bond rotation. In preliminary tests of the BPY as a reductant, dichlorotricyclohexylphosphorane and chlorodiphenylphosphine were reduced to the corresponding phosphine and diphosphine, respectively.

Terrosamycins A and B, Bioactive Polyether Ionophores from Streptomyces sp. RKND004 from Prince Edward Island Sediment.

Terrosamycins A (1) and B (2), two polycyclic polyether natural products, were purified from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. RKND004 isolated from Prince Edward Island sediment. The one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) approach coupled with UPLC-HRMS-based metabolomics screening led to the identification of these compounds. The structure of 1 was determined from analysis of NMR, HRMS, and X-ray diffraction data. NMR experiments performed on 2 revealed the presence of two methoxy groups replacing two hydroxy groups in 1. Like other polyether ionophores, 1 and 2 exhibited excellent antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens. Interestingly, the terrosamycins also exhibited activity against two breast cancer cell lines.

Complexes of Stiboranium Mono-, Di-, and Trications.

Reaction of Ph2 SbCl3 with 2,2'-bipyridine and Me3 SiOSO2 CF3 releases chlorobenzene, which is interpreted as a reductive (SbV /SbIII ) elimination from a complex of a stiboranium cation. Conversely, reactions of Ph2 SbCl3 with 4-methylpyridine-N-oxide and AgOSO2 CF3 give redox-resistant complexes with the generic formulae [Ph2 SbCl3-x Lx+1 ][OTf]x , including a compound containing a pnictogen(V) trication.

The Phosphinoboration of N-Heterocycles.

The addition of phosphinoboronate ester Ph2 PBpin (pin=1,2-O2 C2 Me4 ) (1) to a number of different N-heterocycles has been investigated. Reaction of 1 with pyridine resulted in highly selective formation of the corresponding 1,4-addition product, with addition of the electron-deficient Bpin group to the pyridine nitrogen atom and the phosphido group to the para carbon atom. Conversely, reactions of para-substituted pyridine derivatives occurred predominately to afford 1,2-addition products while quinoline reacted to afford the 1,2-adduct which ultimately isomerized to afford the corresponding 1,4-addition product. Preliminary computational studies have been undertaken to explore possible pathways for these transformations including transfer of the PPh2- anion from [B(PPh2 )2 pin]- to the 4-position of a borenium/boronium activated pyridine and concerted pathways for 1,2-addition via intramolecular nucleophilic attack of PPh2 at C2 of a Ph2 PBpin-coordinated pyridine via a four-centered transition state and intramolecular transfer of PPh2 to the 2-position of a boron-activated pyridine in a phosphido-bridged dimer involving a six-centered transition state.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Weakly Coordinating Anions Based on tris-Perfluoro-tert-Butoxyborane.

A convenient method for the preparation of strongly Lewis acidic tris-perfluoro-tert-butoxyborane B(ORF)3 (1), (ORF = OC(CF3)3) was developed, and its X-ray structure was determined. 1 was used as a precursor, guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and volume-based thermodynamics, for the synthesis of [NEt4][NCB(ORF)3] (3) and [NMe4][FB(ORF)3] (5) and the novel large and weakly coordinating anion salts [Li 15-Crown-5][B(ORF)4] (2) and [NEt4][CN{B(ORF)3}2] (4). The stability of [B(ORF)4]- was compared with that of some related known weakly coordinating anions by appropriate DFT calculations.

Absorption of SO2(g) by TDAE[O2SSO2](s) to Give TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s): Related Reactions of [NR4]2[O2SSO2](s) (R = CH3, C2H5).

One mole equivalent of gaseous SO2 is absorbed by purple TDAE[O2SSO2](s), producing red, essentially spectroscopically pure TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s); under prolonged evacuation, the product loses SO2(g), regenerating TDAE[O2SSO2](s). Similarly, [NR4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) (R = Et, Me) can be prepared, albeit at lower purity, from the corresponding tetraalkylammonium dithionites (prepared by a modification of the known [NEt4]2[O2SSO2](s) preparation). While the [NEt4](+) salt is stable at rt; the [NMe4](+) salt has only limited stability at -78 °C. Vibrational spectra assignments for the anion in these salts were distinctly different from those for the anion in salts containing the long-known [O3SSSO3](2-) dianion, the most thermodynamically stable form of [S3O6](2-) (we prepared TDAE[O3SSSO3]·H2O(s) and obtained its structure by X-ray diffraction and vibrational analyses). The best fit between the calculated ((B3PW91/6-311+G(3df) and PBE0/6-311G(d)) and experimental vibrational spectra were obtained with the dianion having the [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) structure. Vibrational analyses of the three [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) salts prepared in this work showed that the corresponding [O3SSO2](2-) salts were present as a ubiquitous decomposition product. The formation of these new [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) dianion salts was predicted to be favorable for [NMe4](+) and larger cations using a combination of theoretical calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) and volume based thermodynamics (VBT). Similar methods accounted for the greater stabilities of the TDAE(2+) and [NEt4](+) salts of [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) compared to [NMe4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) toward irreversible decomposition to the corresponding [O3SSO2](2-) salts. These salts represent the first known examples of a new class of poly(sulfur dioxide) dianion, [SO2]n(2-) in which n > 2.

Thioboration of α,ß-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes toward the synthesis of ß-sulfido carbonyl compounds.

Herein a direct ß-sulfido carbonyl compound synthesis by the easy activation of RS-Bpin reagents with α,ß-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes is reported. This convenient methodology can be performed at room temperature with no other additives. The key point of this reactivity is based on the Lewis acidic properties of the boryl unit of the RS-Bpin reagent interacting with the C═O oxygen. Consequently, the SR unit becomes more nucleophilic and promotes the 1,4- versus the 1,2-addition, as a function of the involved substrate. The thioborated products can be further transformed into ß-sulfido carbonyl compounds by addition of MeOH.

The phosphinoboration reaction.

The synthesis of phosphinoboronate esters containing a single P-B bond is reported, together with preliminary reactivity studies towards a range of organic substrates. These compounds add readily to aldehydes, ketones, aldimines, and α,ß-unsaturated enones to give primarily the corresponding 1,2-addition products containing a new P-C bond. The first examples of transition-metal-catalyzed phosphinoborations of C-C multiple bonds in which P-C and B-C bonds are formed in a single step are also disclosed; allenes react by a highly regioselective 1,2-addition whereas terminal alkynes undergo a formal 1,1-addition.

Crystallographic snapshot of an arrested intermediate in the biomimetic activation of CO2.

The design of molecular catalysts that mimic the behavior of enzymes is a topical field of activity in emerging technologies, and can lead to an improved understanding of biological systems. Herein, we report how the bulky arms of the cations in [(n C4 H9 )4 N](+) [HCO3 ](-) give rise to a host scaffold that emulates the substrate binding sites in carbonic anhydrase enzymes, affording a unique glimpse of an arrested intermediate in the base-mediated binding and activation of CO2 .

Diverse reactivity of the cyclo-diphosphinophosphonium cation [(PtBu)3Me]⁺: parallels with epoxides and new catena-phosphorus frameworks.

The cyclo-diphosphinophosphonium salt [(PtBu)3Me][OTf] (2) has been shown to be highly reactive toward Lewis bases, exhibiting diverse reactivity with phosphines, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (dmap) and chlorophosphines, providing approaches to new open-chain and cyclic catena-phosphorus frameworks. Reaction of 2 with R3P (R = Me or nPr) or dmap led to the ring-opened adducts [R3P-PtBu-PtBu-P(Me)tBu][OTf] (R = Me (4a), nPr (4b)) and [(dmap)-PtBu-PtBu-P(Me)tBu][OTf] (6), respectively. The complicated (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectra of the three compounds were simulated, evidencing the presence of two diastereomeric forms of 4a, and single diastereomers of 4b and 6. This ring-opening reactivity of the cation in 2 parallels the reactivity of isolobal epoxides with nucleophiles under acidic conditions. Compound 2 was also shown to react with a 2:1 mixture of Me2PCl and TMSOTf to form the unexpected cyclo-diphosphino-1,2-diphosphonium salt [(Me2P)2(PtBu)2][OTf]2 (8), which is postulated to result from two consecutive ring-opening and ring-closing steps. In contrast, reaction with MePCl2 furnished [(MeP)(PtBu)2(P(Me)tBu)][OTf] (9), consistent with insertion of a "MeP" moiety into the cationic phosphorus framework of 2. The importance of ring strain on the reactivity of the cation in 2 was illustrated by comparative studies of the corresponding cyclo-tetraphosphorus cation in [(PtBu)4Me][OTf] (10), which exhibits no reactivity under analogous conditions.

Homopolar dihydrogen bonding in alkali metal amidoboranes: crystal engineering of low-dimensional molecular materials.

Hydrogen bonding is a predominant interaction in supramolecular chemistry. The absence of a conventional hydrogen bond donor in LiNMe(2)BH(3) and KNMe(2)BH(3) results in the formation of elaborate M···H-B polymeric arrays supported by heteropolar and homopolar H···H bonding, in a unique synergistic combination of unconventional intermolecular interactions.

Synthesis and photochemical isomerization of a propeller-shaped molecular switch.

Switched on! A tetra-stable switch has been synthesized in two steps, utilizing photoresponsive isoindolinone moieties. Sequential E-Z isomerization induced by 365 nm light results in a propeller switching action that is reversible using 458 nm light, acid, and high temperature.

Coordination complexes of bismuth triflates with tetrahydrofuran and diphosphine ligands.

The reaction of CH3OSO2CF3 (MeOTf) with BiBr3 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) yields (THF)2BiBr2(OTf) (1), which is converted to (dmpe)BiBr2(OTf) (2Br) upon displacement of the THF ligands with bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe). The chloride derivatives (dmpe)BiCl2(OTf) (2Cl) and (dmpe)BiCl(OTf)2 (3) are obtained from the reaction of BiCl3 and dmpe with 1 and 2 equiv of Me3SiOSO2CF3 (TMSOTf), respectively. The complexes readily decompose in solution to give elemental bismuth and a mixture of products. The solid-state structures reveal dimeric units bridged by both triflate O-S-O interactions and weak Bi-X-Bi interactions (X = Cl, Br). Comparison of the solid-state structures illustrates that both cis and trans configurations of halides are possible in complexes of the form L2BiX2(OTf), depending upon the denticity of the ligand. The experimentally observed configurations are consistent with minima calculated at the MP2 level for the triflate-free cations in the gas phase. Examination of the MP2-calculated electronic structure of 3 reveals the presence of low-lying π-type orbitals that may result in Z-type ligand activity. However, the attempted coordination of 3 with the electron-rich metal center in K2PdCl4, via metal-to-ligand back-donation, leads instead to halide abstraction, giving [(dmpe)2Pd][(CH3CN)2Bi2Cl6(OTf)2] (8). The anion in 8 consists of two octahedral bismuth environments bridged along one edge by two triflate anions. The results illustrate new coordination chemistry for bismuth.

Reactions of a cyclodimethylsiloxane (Me2SiO)6 with silver salts of weakly coordinating anions; crystal structures of [Ag(Me2SiO)6][Al] ([Al] = [FAl{OC(CF3)3}3], [Al{OC(CF3)3}4]) and their comparison with [Ag(18-crown-6)]2[SbF6]2.

Two silver-cyclodimethylsiloxane cation salts [AgD6][Al] ([Al] = [Al(ORF)4](1) or [FAl(OR(F))3](2), R(F) = C(CF3)3, D = Me2SiO) were prepared by the reactions of Ag[Al] with D6 in SO2(l). For a comparison the [Ag(18-crown-6)]2[SbF6]2(3) salt was prepared by the reaction of Ag[SbF6] and 18-crown-6 in SO2(l). The compounds were characterized by IR, multinuclear NMR, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1 and 2 show that D6 acts as a pseudo crown ether toward Ag(+). The stabilities and bonding of [MDn](+) and [M(18-crown-6)](+) (M = Ag, Li, n = 4-8) complexes were studied with theoretical calculations. The calculations predicted that D6 adopts a puckered C(i) symmetric structure in the gas phase in contrast to previous reports. 18-Crown-6 was calculated to bind more strongly to Li(+) and Ag(+) than D6. (29)Si[(1)H] NMR results in solution, and calculations in the gas phase established that a hard Lewis acid Li(+) binds more strongly to D6 than Ag(+). A comparison of the [MD(n)](+) complex stabilities showed D7 to form the most stable metal complexes in the gas phase and the solid state and explained why [AgD7][SbF6] was isolated in a previous reaction where ring transformations resulted in an equilibrium of [AgD(n)](+) complexes. In contrast, the isolations of 1 and 2 were possible because the corresponding equilibrium of [AgD(n)](+) complexes was not observed with [Al](-) anions. The formation of the dinuclear complex salt 3 instead of the corresponding mononuclear complex salt was shown to be driven by the gain in lattice enthalpy in the solid state. The bonding to Li(+) in D6 and 18-crown-6 metal complexes was described by a quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis to be mostly electrostatic while the bonding to Ag(+) also had a significant charge transfer component. The charge transfer from both D6 and 18-crown-6 to Ag(+) and Li(+) metal ions was depicted by the QTAIM analysis to be of similar strength, and the difference in the stabilities of the complexes was attributed mostly to more attractive electrostatic interactions between 18-crown-6 and the metal ions despite the more negative oxygen atomic charges calculated for D6.

Synthesis of [N(CH3)4]2O3SOSO2(s) and [N(CH3)4]2[(O2SO)2SO2]·SO2(s) containing (SO4)(SO2)x(2-) x = 1, 2, members of a new class of sulfur oxydianions.

One mole equivalent of SO2 reversibly reacts with [N(CH3)4]2SO4(s) to give [N(CH3)4]2S2O6(s) (1) containing the [O3SOSO2](2-), shown by Raman and IR to be an isomer of the [O3SSO3](2-) dianion. The experimental and calculated (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) vibrational spectra are in excellent agreement, and the IR spectrum is similar to that of the isoelectronic O3ClOClO2. Crystals of [N(CH3)4]2(O2SO)2SO2·SO2 (2) were isolated from solutions of [N(CH3)4]2SO4 in liquid SO2. The X-ray structure showed that 2 contained the [(O2SO)2SO2](2-) dianion. The characterized N(CH3)4(+) salts 1 and 2 are the first two members of the (SO4)(SO2)x(2-) class of sulfur oxydianions analogous to the well-known small cation salts of the SO4(SO3)x(2-) polysulfates.

Synthesis of (TDAE)(O2SSO2)(s) and discovery of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2)(s) containing the first polythionite, [O2SSSSO2]2-.

Gaseous SO2 reacts with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) in acetonitrile in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio to give analytically pure insoluble purple (TDAE)(O2SSO2) (1) in about 80% yield. Crystals of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2) (2) were obtained from orange solution over the purple solid. The Raman spectrum of [TDAE](2+) was established using (TDAE)(A) salts [A = 2Br(-), 2Br(-)·2H2O (X-ray), 2[Br3](-) (X-ray)]. Vibrational spectroscopy showed that [O2SSO2](2-) in 1 has C2h geometry. The X-ray structure of 2 showed that it contained [O2SSSSO2](2-), the first example of a new class of sulfur oxyanions, the polythionites. The geometry of [O2SSSSO2](2-) consists of S2 with an S-S bond length of 2.003(1) Å connected to two terminal SO2 moieties by much longer S-S bonds of 2.337(1) Å. Calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) show that the structural units in [O2SSSSO2](2-) are joined by the interaction of electrons in two mutually perpendicular π* SOMOs of the triplet-state diradical S2 with unpaired electrons in the π*-antibonding orbitals of the two terminal [SO2](•-) and polarized to delocalize the negative charge equally onto the three fragments. Thermodynamic estimates show 2 to be stable with respect to loss of sulfur and formation of 1, in contrast to [O2SSSSO2](2-) salts of small cations that are unstable toward the related dissociation. Reaction of TDAE with an excess of liquid SO2 led to (TDAE)(O3SOSO3)·SO2 (preliminary X-ray, Raman), (TDAE)(O3SSSSO3)·2SO2 (preliminary X-ray, Raman), and (TDAE)(O3SSO2) (Raman).

catena-Poly[bis-[dimeth-yl(pyridine-κN)indium(III)]-µ4-benzene-1,3-diolato-bis-[di-methyl-indium(III)]-µ4-benzene-1,3-diolato].

The title compound, [In2(CH3)4(C6H4O2)(C5H5N)] or [{(CH3)2In}(1,3-O2C6H4){In(CH3)2(py)}] n , (py = pyridine) contains two crystallographically unique In(III) ions which are in distorted tetra-hedral C2O2 and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal C2O2N coordination environments. The In(III) coordination centers are bridged head-to-head via In-O bonds, yielding four-membered In2O2 rings and zigzag polymeric chains along [001].