Mechanistic Pathways for Ligand Substitution Processes in Metal Carbonyls

Controlled CO labilization of tungsten carbonyl precursors for the low-temperature synthesis of tungsten diselenide nanocrystals

We report a low-temperature colloidal synthesis of WSe2 nanocrystals from tungsten hexacarbonyl and diphenyl diselenide in trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO). We identify TOPO-substituted intermediates, W(CO)5TOPO and cis-W(CO)4(TOPO)2 by infrared spectroscopy. To confirm these assignments, we synthesize aryl analogues of phosphine-oxide-substituted intermediates, W(CO)5TPPO (synthesized previously, TPPO = triphenylphosphine oxide) and cis-W(CO)4(TPPO)2 and fac-W(CO)3(TPPO)3 (new structures reported herein). Ligation of the tungsten carbonyl by either the alkyl or aryl phosphine oxides results in facile labilization of the remaining CO, enabling low-temperature decomposition to nucleate WSe2 nanocrystals. The reactivity in phosphine oxides is contrasted with syntheses containing phosphine ligands, where substitution results in decreased CO labilization and higher temperatures are required to induce nanocrystal nucleation.

Physical properties, ligand substitution reactions, and biological activity of Co(iii)-Schiff base complexes

Four cobalt(iii) complexes of the general formula [Co(Schiff base)(L)2]+, where L is ammonia (NH3) or 3-fluorobenzylamine (3F-BnNH2), were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Their electrochemical properties, ligand substitution mechanisms, and ligand exchange rates in aqueous buffer were investigated. These physical properties were correlated to the cellular uptake and anticancer activities of the complexes. The complexes undergo sequential, dissociative ligand substitution, with the exchange rates depending heavily on the axial ligands. Eyring analyses revealed that the relative ligand exchange rates were largely impacted by differences in the entropy, rather than enthalpy, of activation for the complexes. Performing the substitution reactions in the presence of ascorbate led to a change in the reaction profile and kinetics, but no change in the final product. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes correlates with both the ligand exchange rate and reduction potential, with the more easily reduced and rapidly substituted complexes showing higher toxicity. These relationships may be valuable for the rational design of Co(iii) complexes as anticancer or antiviral prodrugs.

Combined computational and experimental study of substituent effects on the thermodynamics of H(2), CO, arene, and alkane addition to iridium

The thermodynamics of small-molecule (H(2), arene, alkane, and CO) addition to pincer-ligated iridium complexes of several different configurations (three-coordinate d(8), four-coordinate d(8), and five-coordinate d(6)) have been investigated by computational and experimental means. The substituent para to the iridium (Y) has been varied in complexes containing the (Y-PCP)Ir unit (Y-PCP = eta(3)-1,3,5-C(6)H(2)[CH(2)PR(2)](2)Y; R = methyl for computations; R = tert-butyl for experiments); substituent effects have been studied for the addition of H(2), C-H, and CO to the complexes (Y-PCP)Ir, (Y-PCP)Ir(CO), and (Y-PCP)Ir(H)(2). Para substituents on arenes undergoing C-H bond addition to (PCP)Ir or to (PCP)Ir(CO) have also been varied computationally and experimentally. In general, increasing electron donation by the substituent Y in the 16-electron complexes, (Y-PCP)Ir(CO) or (Y-PCP)Ir(H)(2), disfavors addition of H-H or C-H bonds, in contradiction to the idea of such additions being oxidative. Addition of CO to the same 16-electron complexes is also disfavored by increased electron donation from Y. By contrast, addition of H-H and C-H bonds or CO to the three-coordinate parent species (Y-PCP)Ir is favored by increased electron donation. In general, the effects of varying Y are markedly similar for H(2), C-H, and CO addition. The trends can be fully rationalized in terms of simple molecular orbital interactions but not in terms of concepts related to oxidation, such as charge-transfer or electronegativity differences.

A novel metal-chain extension reaction: synthesis of (X)[Os(CO)3(CN-t-Bu)]nMn(CO)5 (X = Cl, Br, I; n = 1, 2, 3)

Complexes of formula (X)[Os(CO)3(CN-t-Bu)]nMn(CO)5 (X = Cl, Br, I; n = 1, 2, 3) have been prepared by the reaction of Os(CO)4(CN-t-Bu) with Mn(CO)5(X) in hexane at room temperature. The characterization of the complexes included the crystal structures of compounds with X = I, n = 1, 3 and X = Cl, Br, n = 2 (2ClA and 2BrB). The trinuclear products were isolated as two isomers. The major isomer (2XA) has an isocyanide ligand attached to each osmium atom, whereas the minor isomer (2XB) has both of these ligands bound to the terminal Os atom. The structures contain OsnMn chains with unbridged Os—Mn bonds (range of lengths are 2.870(1)–2.9245(8) Å) and for compounds with n = 2 or 3 Os—Os bonds (range of lengths are 2.8812(4)–2.8928(5) Å). The mechanism of formation is believed to involve replacement of a CO ligand with the 18e- ligand Os(CO)4(CN-t-Bu) at the metal with the coordinated halide, followed by a rearrangement in which the halide ligand migrates to the donor Os atom with concomitant migration in the reverse direction of a carbonyl ligand. The preparation of (OC)4(t-BuNC)OsMn(CO)4(Cl) with an Os–Mn dative bond is also reported along with the (OC)4(t-BuNC)OsRe(CO)4(X) analogues.Key words: manganese–osmium, rhenium–osmium, dinuclear, metal chain, dative metal–metal bond.

Mechanistic studies of the cycloisomerization of dimethyl diallylmalonate catalyzed by a cationic palladium phenanthroline complex

The mechanism of the cycloisomerization of dimethyl diallylmalonate (1) catalyzed by the cationic palladium phenanthroline complex [(phen)Pd(Me)CNCH(3)](+)[BAr(4)](-) [Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)] (2) has been investigated. Heating a solution of 1 and 2 (5 mol %) in DCE at 40 degrees C led to zero-order decay of 1 to approximately 80% conversion (k(obs) = (7.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(-7) M s(-1)) with formation of a 27:2.2:1.0 mixture of 3,3-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,5-dimethylcyclopentene (3), 4,4-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,2-dimethylcyclopentene (4), and 1,1-bis(carbomethoxy)-4-methyl-3-methylenecyclopentane (5) and traces ( approximately 3.5%) of ethyl-substituted carbocycles 6 of the chemical formula C(12)H(18)O(4). Cyclopentenes 3 and 4 were formed both kinetically (3:4 = 30:1 at 40 degrees C) and via secondary isomerization of 5 (3:4 = 1:2.5 at 40 degrees C); the kinetic pathway accounted for the 93% of cyclopentene formation at 40 degrees C. Carbocycles 6 were formed predominantly (> or =90%) within the first two catalyst turnovers as byproducts of catalyst activation. Stoichiometric reaction of 1 and 2 at room temperature for 1.5 h led to the isolation of the palladium cyclopentyl chelate complex [carbohydrate structure-see text] in 26% yield as a approximately 2:1 mixture of isomers. The structure of trans,trans-7 was determined by X-ray crystallography. Kinetic studies of the formation of 7 established the rate law: rate = k[1][2], where k = (2.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) (Delta G(*)(298K) = 19.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)) at 25 degrees C. Thermolysis of 7 at 50 degrees C formed carbocycles 6 in 65% yield by GC analysis. (1)H and (13)C NMR analysis of an active catalyst system generated from 1 and a catalytic amount of 2 led to the identification of the cyclopentyl chelate complex [carbohydrate structure-see text] as the catalyst resting state. Cycloisomerization of 1-2,6-d(2) formed predominantly (approximately 90%) 3,3-bis(carbomethoxy)-5-deuterio-1-(deuteriomethyl)-5-methylcyclopentene (3-d(2)); no significant (< or =10%) kinetic isotope effect or intermolecular H/D exchange was observed. Cycloisomerization of 1-3,3,5,5-d(4) formed a 1:2.6 mixture of 3,3-bis(carbomethoxy)-2,4,4-trideuterio-1,5-dimethylcyclopentene (3-d(3)) and 3,3-bis(carbomethoxy)-2,4,4-trideuterio-5-(deuteriomethyl)-1-methylcyclo pentene (3-d(4)); while no significant (< or =10%) kinetic isotope effect was detected, extensive intermolecular H/D exchange was observed. These data are consistent with a mechanism involving hydrometalation of an olefin of 1, intramolecular carbometalation, isomerization via reversible beta-hydride elimination/addition, and turnover-limiting displacement of the cyclopentenes from palladium.

Mechanism of Reduction of Cymantrene (Tricarbonyl η5-Cyclopentadienylmanganese) and Its Methyl Carboximidate Derivative

The mechanisms of electrochemical reduction of cymantrene, [Mn(CO)3(η5-Cp)], and its ring-substituted methyl carboximidate derivative, [Mn(CO)3(η5-C5H4C(NH)OMe)], were studied by voltammetry, in situ IR spectroelectrochemistry and preparative electrolysis. The product of one-electron reduction undergoes further chemical reactions. Comparison of the data obtained under atmosphere of argon and that of carbon monoxide leads to the conclusion that a ligand substitution reaction and dimerization participate in the overall reaction sequence. FTIR spectra recorded in situ suggest product dimerization, the formation of [Mn(CO)5]- and, to a lesser extent, other unstable species. The dimer formation was not observed in the course of the reduction of the carboximidate.

Theoretical Study of the Electronic Structure of Group 6 [M(CO)(5)X](-) Species (X = NH(2), OH, Halide, H, CH(3)) and a Reinvestigation of the Role of pi-Donation in CO Lability

Density functional calculations have been employed to investigate the electronic structure of [M(CO)(5)X](-) species (M = Cr, Mo, W; X = NH(2), OH, halide, H, CH(3)) and to compute CO ligand dissociation energies. The calculations indicate that CO loss is most facile from the cis position, and CO dissociation energies are computed to increase along the series X = NH(2) < OH < F < Cl < Br < I < CH(3) < H. These results are in agreement with available experimental data. Trends in CO dissociation are related to the ability of X to stabilize the unsaturated 16e [M(CO)(4)X](-) species formed. In addition, pi-destabilization of the ground-state [M(CO)(5)X](-) species is equally significant. Analysis of the electronic structure of the 18e species shows that Xpi-dpi 4e destabilization results in hybridization at the metal center which enhances trans M-CO but reduces cis M-CO pi-back-donation. Strong pi-donation from X also induces sigma-antibonding interactions between the metal and the cis CO ligands. A fragment analysis reveals that these effects are strongest for the "hard" fluoride, hydroxide, and amide ligands.

Amino Acid Complexes of Metal Carbonyls: Mechanistic Aspects of the CO-Labilizing Ability of Glycinate Ligands in Zero-Valent Chromium and Tungsten Derivatives

The amino and phosphino acid derivatives of chromium(0) and tungsten(0), [Et(4)N][Cr(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NH(2))] (1), [Et(4)N][Cr(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NHMe)] (2), [Et(4)N][Cr(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NMe(2))] (3), [Et(4)N][W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(C(CH(3))(3))NH(2))] (4), [Et(4)N][W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(C(6)H(5))NH(2))], [Et(4)N][W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)PPh(2))] (5), and [Et(4)N][Cr(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)PPh(2))] have been synthesized from the reaction of the M(CO)(5)THF adduct with the tetraethylammonium salt of the corresponding amino or phosphino acid in THF solution. The complexes have been characterized in solution by (13)C NMR and infrared spectroscopies and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The geometry of the metal anion is, in each case, that of a distorted octahedron consisting of four carbonyl ligands and a puckered five-membered glycinate chelate ring, bound through the nitrogen atom and one of its oxygen atoms. Notable about complex 1 is that the crystal obtained exhibited both a different morphology and a different space group than its tungsten analogue. Examination of the packing diagram reveals that this change is due to the different orientation of the chelate ring in 1 relative to the corresponding orientation in the W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NH(2))(-) anion. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amine N-H group and the distal oxygen on an adjacent molecule, with N.O distances of 2.828 and 2.821 Å, respectively. Investigations of the lability of the carbonyl ligands have been carried out. The lability is proposed to be due to base-assisted removal of a proton from the amine ligand leading to a substitutionally labile amide transient species. The tungsten analogue of complex 1 was used to obtain evidence in support of this mechanism. The isotope effect (k(H)/k(D)) was measured for W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NH(2))(-) using d(5)-glycine and was found to be 2.34. The activation parameters for the intermolecular exchange of CO in the [Et(4)N][W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NH(2))] salt were determined and found to be DeltaH() = 15.4 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol and DeltaS() = -23.2 +/- 3.2 eu, values consistent with the proposed mechanism. In addition, the effect of substitution of electron-donating (C(CH(3))(3)) and electron-withdrawing (C(6)H(5)) substituents on the methylene carbon was evaluated. There was little change in the rate of CO exchange observed for W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(C(CH(3))(3))NH(2))(-) (5) and W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(C(6)H(5))NH(2))(-) vs W(CO)(4)(O(2)CCH(2)NH(2))(-), showing that steric or electronic effects away from the N center are not responsible for the observed CO lability. As anticipated on the basis of the proposed substitutional pathway, the phosphino acid metal carbonyl derivatives did not exhibit facile intermolecular CO exchange.