Structure and reactivity of monomeric, molecular Tin(II) compounds

A review of heavy metal cation binding to deoxyribonucleic acids for the creation of chemical sensors

Various human activities lead to the pollution of ground, drinking, and wastewater with toxic metals. It is well known that metal ions preferentially bind to DNA phosphate backbones or DNA nucleobases, or both. Foreman et al. (Environ Toxicol Chem 30(8):1810-1818, 2011) reported the use of a DNA-dye based assay suitable for use as a toxicity test for potable environmental water. They compared the results of this test with the responses of live-organism bioassays. The DNA-based demonstrated that the loss of SYBR Green I fluorescence dye bound to calf thymus DNA was proportional to the toxicity of the water sample. However, this report raised questions about the mechanism that formed the basis of this quasi-quantitatively test. In this review, we identify the unique and preferred DNA-binding sites of individual metals. We show how highly sensitive and selective DNA-based sensors can be designed that contain multiple binding sites for 21 heavy metal cations that bind to DNA and change its structure, consistent with the release of the DNA-bound dye.

Synthesis and reactivity studies of a tin(II) corrole complex

A series of tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole (TPFC) tin(IV) and tin(II) complexes were prepared and studied by various characterization techniques including (1)H, (19)F, and (119)Sn NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The unusual 4-coordinate, monomeric, divalent tin(II) complex [(TPFC)Sn(II)](-) (2a) showed highly efficient reactivity toward alkenes and alkyl halides via a nucleophilic addition pathway leading to the quantitative formation of alkyl stannyl corrole compounds. DFT calculations confirmed the divalent nature of the tin center in 2a, and an NBO analysis showed about 99.99% Sn lone pair character, of which 83.6% was Sn 5s and 16.35% was Sn 5p character.

Benzimidazolin-2-stannylenes with N,N‘-Alkyl (Me and Et) and Lewis Base Functional Groups

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically N,N'-substituted benzimidazolin-2-stannylenes with sterically nondemanding alkyl (Me and Et) and Lewis base functional groups (-(CH2)nOMe, -(CH2)nNMe2; n=2, 3) have been synthesized by the transamination reaction between suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines and Sn[N(SiMe3)2]2. The N,N'-dimethyl-substituted stannylene 3 exists in the solid state as a bimolecular aggregate which is held together by strong intermolecular Sn...N interactions leading to three-coordinated tin atoms. The benzimidazolin-2-stannylenes with N,N'-(CH2)nOMe substituents (5, n=2; 6, n=3) exhibit weak intramolecular Sn...O interactions in solution. Benzannulated stannylenes with N,N'-(CH2)nNMe2 substituents (7, n=2; 8, n=3) are again dimers which exhibit both intramolecular Sn...NMe2 and intermolecular Sn...N interactions, which leads to tri- or tetracoordinated tin atoms. Some unsymmetrically N,N'-substituted benzimidazolin-2-stannylenes have also been synthesized. The molecular structures of 3, 5, and 8 and the relation between the chemical shift recorded for the tin atoms and the solvent (C6D6 or THF-d8) used for recording 119Sn NMR spectra will be discussed.

Theoretical Study on the Reactivities of Stannylene and Plumbylene and the Origin of their Activation Barriers

The potential energy surfaces corresponding to the reactions of heavy carbenes with various molecules were investigated by employing computations at the B3LYP and CCSD(T) levels of theory. To understand the origin of barrier heights and reactivities, the model system (CH3)2X+Y (X=C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb; Y=CH4, SiH4, GeH4, CH3OH, C2H6, C2H4, and C2H2) was chosen for the present study. All reactions involve initial formation of a precursor complex, followed by a high-energy transition state, and then a final product. My theoretical investigations suggest that the heavier the X center, the larger the activation barrier, and the less exothermic (or the more endothermic) the chemical reaction. In particular, the computational results show that (CH3)2Sn does not insert readily into C-H, Si-H, C-H, Ge-H, or C-C bonds. It is also unreactive towards C=C bonds, but is reactive towards C identical with C and O-H bonds. My theoretical findings are in good agreement with experimental observations. Furthermore, a configuration mixing model based on the work of Pross and Shaik is used to rationalize the computational results. It is demonstrated that the singlet-triplet splitting of a heavy carbene (CH3)2X plays a decisive role in determining its chemical reactivity. The results obtained allow a number of predictions to be made.

(Schiff base) divalent group 14 element species: manganese and iron complexes (Salen)M=Mn(Co)2(eta 5-C5H5) (M14 = Ge, Sn, Pb) and (Salen)Sn=Fe(CO)4

Syntheses of the (divalent group 14 species)dicarbonyl(cyclopentadienyl)manganese (Salen)M=Mn(CO)2(eta 5-C5H5) [M = Ge (1), Sn (2), Pb (3)] and [(Salen)tin(II)]tetracarbonyliron (Salen)Sn=Fe(CO)4 (4) are reported. The structures of 2 and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The observed Sn-Mn bond length, 2.4428(7) A, is the shortest distance observed for this type of bond and corresponds to considerable multiple bonding between these atoms. In complex 4, the iron atom has a slightly distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination sphere; the (Salen)tin(II) ligand occupies an axial site, indicating that it functions in this complex as a strong sigma-donor and weak pi-acceptor ligand. Crystal data for 2: orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 6.972(1) A, b = 15.678(2) A, c = 19.032(2) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, V = 2080.3(5) A3, T = 173(2) K, Z = 4. Crystal data for 4: triclinic, P1, a = 8.465(2) A, b = 9.795(3) A, c = 13.213(4) A, alpha = 105.55(3) degrees, beta = 105.15(3) degrees, gamma = 100.84(3) degrees, V = 978.7(5) A3, T = 173(2) K, Z = 2.