TpPtMe(H)(2): why is there H/D scrambling of the methyl group but not methane loss?

Reversible PtII-CH3 deuteration without methane loss: metal-ligand cooperation vs. ligand-assisted PtII-protonation

Di(2-pyridyl)ketone dimethylplatinum(ii), (dpk)Pt^II(CH₃)₂, reacts with CD₃OD at 25 °C to undergo complete deuteration of Pt-CH₃ fragments in ∼5 h without loss of methane to form (dpk)Pt^II(CD₃)₂ in virtually quantitative yield. The deuteration can be reversed by dissolution in CH₃OH or CD₃OH. Kinetic analysis and isotope effects, together with support from density functional theory calculations indicate a metal-ligand cooperative mechanism wherein DPK enables Pt-CH₃ deuteration by allowing non-rate-limiting protonation of Pt^II by CD₃OD. In contrast, other model di(2-pyridyl) ligands enable rate-limiting protonation of Pt^II, resulting in non-rate-limiting C-H(D) reductive coupling. Owing to its electron-poor nature, following complete deuteration, DPK can be dissociated from the Pt^II-centre, furnishing [(CD₃)₂Pt^II(μ-SMe₂)]₂ as the perdeutero analogue of [(CH₃)₂Pt^II(μ-SMe₂)]₂, a commonly used Pt^II-precursor.

Evaluating Transition Metal Barrier Heights with the Latest Density Functional Theory Exchange-Correlation Functionals: The MOBH35 Benchmark Database

A new database of transition metal reaction barrier heights (MOBH35) is presented. Benchmark energies (forward and reverse barriers and reaction energy) are calculated using DLPNO-CCSD(T) extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using a Weizmann-1-like scheme. Using these benchmark energies, the performance of a wide selection of density functional theory (DFT) exchange-correlation functionals, including the latest from the Martin, Truhlar, and Head-Gordon groups, is evaluated. It was found, using the def2-TZVPP basis set, that the ωB97M-V (MAD 1.7 kcal/mol), ωB97M-D3BJ (MAD 1.9 kcal/mol), ωB97X-V (MAD 2.0 kcal/mol), and revTPSS0-D4 (MAD 2.2 kcal/mol) hybrid functionals are recommended. The double-hybrid functionals B2K-PLYP (MAD 1.7 kcal/mol) and revDOD-PBEP86-D4 (MAD 1.8 kcal/mol) also performed well, but this has to be balanced by their increased computational cost.

Methyl Complexes of the Transition Metals

Organometallic chemistry can be considered as a wide area of knowledge that combines concepts of classic organic chemistry, that is, based essentially on carbon, with molecular inorganic chemistry, especially with coordination compounds. Transition-metal methyl complexes probably represent the simplest and most fundamental way to view how these two major areas of chemistry combine and merge into novel species with intriguing features in terms of reactivity, structure, and bonding. Citing more than 500 bibliographic references, this review aims to offer a concise view of recent advances in the field of transition-metal complexes containing M-CH3 fragments. Taking into account the impressive amount of data that are continuously provided by organometallic chemists in this area, this review is mainly focused on results of the last five years. After a panoramic overview on M-CH3 compounds of Groups 3 to 11, which includes the most recent landmark findings in this area, two further sections are dedicated to methyl-bridged complexes and reactivity.

Searching for Saddle Points by Using the Nudged Elastic Band Method: An Implementation for Gas-Phase Systems

A new implementation of the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) optimization method is presented. This approach uses a global procedure that yields the whole reaction path, and thus it provides an alternative to the sequential optimization of the transition state and consequent calculation of the minimum energy path. Furthermore the algorithm is very useful when one is not sure if a saddle point exists, because it can be used to eliminate the possibility of a saddle point when one does not exist. Three different versions of the NEB algorithm have been implemented. The influences of various parameters and methodological choices on the performance of the method have been studied, and the quality of the results is assessed by comparison with the saddle point and minimum energy path calculations sequential method. Recommendations are made for algorithmic choices and default parameters.

True and masked three-coordinate T-shaped platinum(II) intermediates

Although four-coordinate square-planar geometries, with a formally 16-electron counting, are absolutely dominant in isolated Pt(II) complexes, three-coordinate, 14-electron Pt(II) complexes are believed to be key intermediates in a number of platinum-mediated organometallic transformations. Although very few authenticated three-coordinate Pt(II) complexes have been characterized, a much larger number of complexes can be described as operationally three-coordinate in a kinetic sense. In these compounds, which we have called masked T-shaped complexes, the fourth position is occupied by a very weak ligand (agostic bond, solvent molecule or counteranion), which can be easily displaced. This review summarizes the structural features of the true and masked T-shaped Pt(II) complexes reported so far and describes synthetic strategies employed for their formation. Moreover, recent experimental and theoretical reports are analyzed, which suggest the involvement of such intermediates in reaction mechanisms, particularly C-H bond-activation processes.

Proton Walk in the Aqueous Platinum Complex [TpPtMeCO] via a Sticky σ-Methane Ligand

Both experimental and theoretical evidence suggest that the proton exchange between water and the methyl group in [TpPt(CO)CH(3)] (1, Tp=hydridotripyrazolylborate) involves the formation and deprotonation of a "sticky" sigma-methane ligand. The efficiency of this nontrivial process has been attributed to the spatial orientation of functional groups that operate in concert to activate a water molecule and then achieve a multistep proton walk from water to an uncoordinated pyrazolyl nitrogen atom, to the methyl ligand, and then back to the nitrogen atom and water. The overall proton-exchange process has been proposed to involve an initial attack of water at the CO ligand in 1 with concerted deprotonation by the uncoordinated pyrazolyl nitrogen atom. The pyrazolium proton is then transferred to the Pt--CH(3) bond, leading to a sigma-methane intermediate. Subsequent rotation and deprotonation of the sigma-methane ligand, followed by reformation of 1 and water, result in scrambling of the methyl protons with the hydrogen atoms of water. An alternative two-step process that involves oxidative addition and reductive elimination has also been considered. The two competing mechanistic routes from 1 into [D(3)]-1, as well as the conversion of 1 into [TpPt(CH(3))H(2)] (2), have been examined by density functional theory (DFT) using a variety of exchange-correlation methods, primarily PW6B95, which was recently shown to be highly accurate for evaluating reactions of late-transition-metal complexes. The key role played by the free pyrazolyl nitrogen atom, acting as a proton carrier that abstracts a proton from water and transfers the proton to the Pt--CH(3) bond, is reminiscent of the dual functionality of histidine in the catalytic triad of natural serine proteases.

Compared Behavior of 5-Deoxy-5-iodo-d-xylo- and l-Arabinofuranosides in the Reductive Elimination Reaction: A Strong Dependence on Structural Parameters and on the Presence of Zn2+. A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

In the framework of a project devoted to the chemical transformation of monosaccharides from hemicelluloses into higher added value materials, the zinc-induced reductive elimination from 5-deoxy-5-iodo derivatives of D-xylose and L-arabinose was carried out. This study gave us the opportunity to observe surprising behaviors. In particular, the reaction strongly depends on structural parameters (protecting group pattern, configuration at C-4) and on the presence of Zn2+ ions. Collaterally with the experimental work, water solvent PCM HF-DFT (MPW1K/LANL2DZ) computations were performed to obtain insight into the mechanism for the reductive part of the reaction sequence. Without Zn2+, the zinc insertion reaction was found to proceed through a concerted but non-synchronous process involving a relatively large energy barrier (32 kcal mol-1) that directly leads to the presumed organozinc intermediate. In the presence of Zn2+, a three-step mechanism was identified in which the cation coordinates the anomeric and ring oxygen atoms and also the sugar iodine atom, causing an activating effect on the zinc insertion process by facilitating the homolytic rupture of the C-I bond. Complexes between zinc and Zn2+ bound carbohydrates were characterized with large stabilization energies, suggesting that Zn2+ might enhance the affinity of the organic compound with the zinc metal surface.

Quantum chemical study of the mechanism of ethylene elimination in silylative coupling of olefins

Silylative coupling of olefins differs from olefin metathesis. Although in both these reactions ruthenium catalysts play a crucial role and ethylene product is detected, ruthenium-carbene intermediate is formed only in the course of the metathesis reaction. In this study quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) have been carried out in order to examine the mechanism of the silylative coupling of olefins leading to ethylene elimination. In the first step of the catalytic cycle, a hydrogen atom from the ruthenium catalytic center is transferred preferentially to the carbon atom bound to Si in a vinylsilane. This H transfer is coupled with the formation of Ru-C bond. Next, the rotation around the newly formed C-C single bond occurs so that silicon atom is placed in the vicinity of the ruthenium center. The following step involves the migration of a silyl moiety, and leads to Ru-Si bond formation, coupled with ethylene elimination. The next reaction, that is the insertion of ethylene (alkene) into Ru-Si bond, has an activation barrier almost as high as the reaction of ethylene elimination. However, the posibility of removing gaseous ethylene from the reactive mixture together with the entropic fators suggests that the insertion of alkene that is larger than C(2)H(4) is the rate limiting step in the silylative coupling of olefins. It also suggests that the substituents attached to the silicon atom or the carbon atoms of an alkene by electronic and steric effects may significantly affect silyl migration and thus the effectiveness of the catalytic reaction.

Carbon monoxide promoted reductive elimination of hydrogen from Tp' platinum complexes

Acid-assisted reductive elimination of hydrogen from Tp'PtH(3) and of methane and hydrogen from Tp'PtMeH(2) (Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) is examined herein. Loss of H(2) is observed from solutions containing platinum(IV) complexes of the type Tp'Pt(R)(H)(2) (R = Me, H) upon protonation and addition of a ligand such as CO. Results of kinetic studies on reductive elimination of H(2) and formation of [kappa(2)-(HTp')Pt(R)(L)][BAr'(4)] products from intermediates derived from Tp'Pt(R)(H)(2) precursors are described. Elimination appears to occur from cationic 6-coordinate [kappa(2)-(HTp')Pt(R)(H)(2)(L)][BAr'(4)] species.

Electronic structure study of the initiation routes of the dimethyl sulfide oxidation by OH

In the present work the potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the different initiation routes of the oxidation mechanism of DMS by hydroxyl radical in the absence of O(2) has been studied, and connections among the different stationary points have been established. Single-point high level electronic structure calculations at lower level optimized geometries have been shown to be necessary to assure convergence of energy barriers and reaction energies. Our results demonstrate that the oxidation of DMS by OH turns out to be initiated via three channels: a hydrogen abstraction channel that through a saddle point structure finally leads to CH(3)SCH(2) + H(2)O, an addition-elimination channel that firstly leads to an adduct complex (AD) and then via an elimination saddle point structure finally gives CH(3)SOH and CH(3) products, and a third channel that through a concerted pathway leads to CH(3)OH and CH(3)S. The H-abstraction and the addition-elimination channels initiate by a common pathway that goes through the same reactant complex (RC). Our theoretical results agree quite well with the branching ratios experimentally assigned to the formation of the different products. Finally, the calculated equilibrium constants of the formation of the complex AD and the hexadeuterated complex AD from the corresponding reactants, as a function of the temperature, are in good accordance with the experimental values.

An unprecedented oxidative migration of a methyl group from 2-(2',6'-dimethylphenylazo)-4-methylphenol mediated by ruthenium and osmium

An unprecedented chemical transformation of 2-(2',6'-dimethylphenylazo)-4-methylphenol has been observed upon its reaction with [M(PPh(3))(3)X(2)] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br) whereby one methyl group from the phenyl ring of the arylazo fragment migrates to the metal center via oxidation to CO.

Cycloaddition reactions of metalloaromatic complexes of iridium and rhodium: a mechanistic DFT investigation

The mechanistic details of 1,2- and 1,4-cycloaddition reactions of acetone, CO(2), and CS(2) to isostructural iridiabenzene, iridiapyrylium, and iridiathiabenzene complexes, as well as their rhodium analogues, were elucidated by density functional theory (DFT) at the PCM/mPW1K/SDB-cc-pVDZ//mPW1K/SDD level of theory. The calculated reaction profiles concur with reported experimental observations. It was found that the first complex reacts via a concerted reaction mechanism, while the latter two react by a stepwise mechanism. Several factors affecting the reaction mechanisms and outcome were identified. They include the composition and size of the metal-aromatic ring, the length of the substrate C=X (X = O, S) bond, the geometry of the product, the symmetry of the frontier molecular orbitals, and the type of reaction mechanism involved.

Aromatic vs aliphatic C-H bond activation by rhodium(I) as a function of agostic interactions: catalytic H/D exchange between olefins and methanol or water

The aryl-PC type ligand 3, benzyl(di-tert-butyl)phosphane, reacts with [Rh(coe)(2)(solv)(n)()]BF(4) (coe = cyclooctene, solv = solvent), producing the C-H activated complexes 4a-c (solv = (a). acetone, (b). THF, (c). methanol). Complexes 4a-c undergo reversible arene C-H activation (observed by NMR spin saturation transfer experiments, SST) and H/D exchange into the hydride and aryl ortho-H with ROD (R = D, Me). They also promote catalytic H/D exchange into the vinylic C-H bond of olefins, with deuterated methanol or water utilized as D-donors. Unexpectedly, complex 2, based on the benzyl-PC type ligand 1 (analogous to 3), di-tert-butyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)phosphane, shows a very different reversible C-H activation pattern as observed by SST. It is not active in H/D exchange with ROD and in catalytic H/D exchange with olefins. To clarify our observations regarding C-H activation/reductive elimination in both PC-Rh systems, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. Both nucleophilic (oxidative addition) and electrophilic (H/D exchange) C-H activation proceed through eta(2)-C,H agostic intermediates. In the aryl-PC system the agostic interaction causes C-H bond acidity sufficient for the H/D exchange with water or methanol, which is not the case in the benzyl PC-Rh system. In the latter system the C-H coordination pattern of the methyl controls the reversible C-H oxidative addition leading to energetically different C-H activation processes, in accordance with the experimental observations.

Catalytic Reduction of Acetone by [(bpy)Rh]+: A Theoretical Mechanistic Investigation and Insight into Cooperativity Effects in This System

Lahav, Milstein, and co-workers reported that the complex [(bpy)Rh(hd)](+)PF(6)(-) (bpy = substituted bipyridine ligand, hd = 1,5-hexadiene) shows catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of acetone (Töllner, K. et al. Science 1997, 278, 2100). The activity in an ordered monolayer was found to be dramatically greater than in solution. We used the DFT functional mPW1K (Lynch, B. J. et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2000, 104, 4811) to investigate the mechanism of the homogenous reaction. The suitability of the mPW1K functional was verified by coupled cluster calculations on a model system. Bulk solvent effects were considered. Various alternative catalytic cycles were evaluated, and we found that one potential mechanism involves metal-catalyzed keto-enol tautomerization to form [(bpy)Rh(enol)](+) that adds hydrogen yielding a complex with axial and equatorial hydride ligands. The reaction continues via transfer of the hydrides to the enolic C=C bond thereby forming 2-propanol and regenerating the catalyst. Another potential catalytic cycle involves formation of [(bpy)Rh(acetone)(2)(H)(2)](+), which has a spectator solvent ligand, and initial transfer of the equatorial hydride to the carbonyl carbon of acetone. Other mechanisms involving hydrogen transfer to the acetone tautomer involved higher barriers. With an eye toward modeling multi-center catalysis, various model systems for the bpy ligand were considered. It was found that diimine (HN=CH-CH=NH) compares very well with bpy, whereas cis-1,2-diiminoethylene (H(2)C=N-CH=CH-N=CH(2)) yields a reaction profile very close to that of bpy. Finally, the system with two rhodium centers, [(diimine)Rh](2)(2+), was investigated. The results strongly suggest that an enol-type catalytic cycle occurs and that cooperativity between the two metal centers is responsible for the acceleration of the reaction in the monolayer system.

Mechanisms of C-C and C-H alkane reductive eliminations from octahedral Pt(IV): reaction via five-coordinate intermediates or direct elimination?

The Pt(IV) complexes P(2)PtMe(3)R [P(2) = dppe (PPh(2)(CH(2))(2)PPh(2)), dppbz (o-PPh(2)(C(6)H(4))PPh(2)); R = Me, H] undergo reductive elimination reactions to form carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Mechanistic studies have been carried out for both C-C and C-H coupling reactions and the reductive elimination reactions to form ethane and methane are directly compared. For C-C reductive elimination, the evidence supports a mechanism of initial phosphine chelate opening followed by C-C coupling from the resulting five-coordinate intermediate. In contrast, mechanistic studies on C-H reductive elimination support an unusual pathway at Pt(IV) of direct coupling without preliminary ligand loss. The complexes fac- P(2)PtMe(3)R (P(2) = dppe, R = Me, H; P(2) = dppbz, R = Me) have been characterized crystallographically. The Pt(IV) hydrides, fac-P(2)PtMe(3)H (P(2) = dppe, dppbz), are rare examples of stable phosphine ligated Pt(IV) alkyl hydride complexes.

Design and synthesis of tridentate facially chelating ligands of the [2.n.1]-(2,6)-pyridinophane family

Syntheses are reported for tripyridine macrocycles 2 and 3 and some of their alkyl derivatives. The macrocycles are designed to stabilize to various extents coordinated d(8) metal precursors and d(6) alkane oxidative addition products (Pt(IV)), therefore allowing favorable kinetics and thermodynamics of (e.g., Pt(II)) the cleavage of substrate H-C(sp(3)) bonds. Both the Chichibabin protocol and oxidative coupling of carbanions by copper(I) iodide were used for the macrocyclization step. Crystal structures of singly and doubly protonated 2 establish atom connectivity in the macrocycle, and reveal structural features which are obscured in solution NMR by rapid proton migration.

Metallacarbenes from diazoalkanes: an experimental and computational study of the reaction mechanism

PCP ligand (1,3-bis-[(diisopropyl-phosphanyl)-methyl]-benzene), and PCN ligand ([3-[(di-tert-butyl-phosphanyl)-methyl]-benzyl]-diethyl-amine) based rhodium dinitrogen complexes (1 and 2, respectively) react with phenyl diazomethane at room temperature to give PCP and PCN-Rh carbene complexes (3 and 5, respectively). At low temperature (-70 degrees C), PCP and PCN phenyl diazomethane complexes (4 and 6, respectively) are formed upon addition of phenyl diazomethane to 1 and 2. In these complexes, the diazo moiety is eta(1) coordinated through the terminal nitrogen atom. Decomposition of complexes 4 and 6 at low temperatures leads only to a relatively small amount of the corresponding carbene complexes, the major products of decomposition being the dinitrogen complexes 1 and 2 and stilbene. This and competition experiments (decomposition of 6 in the presence of 1) suggests that phenyl diazomethane can dissociate under the reaction conditions and attack the metal center through the diazo carbon producing a eta(1)-C bound diazo complex. Computational studies based on a two-layer ONIOM model, using the mPW1K exchange-correlation functional and a variety of basis sets for PCP based systems, provide mechanistic insight. In the case of less bulky PCP ligand bearing H-substituents on the phosphines, a variety of mechanisms are possible, including both dissociative and nondissociative pathways. On the other hand, in the case of i-Pr substituents, the eta(1)-C bound diazo complex appears to be a critical intermediate for carbene complex formation, in good agreement with the experimental results. Our results and the analysis of reported data suggest that the outcome of the reaction between a diazoalkane and a late transition metal complex can be anticipated considering steric requirements relevant to eta(1)-C diazo complex formation.

Computational evidence that the inverse kinetic isotope effect for reductive elimination of methane from a tungstenocene methyl-hydride complex is associated with the inverse equilibrium isotope effect for formation of a sigma-complex intermediate

Calculations on [H2Si(C5H4)2]W(Me)H demonstrate that the interconversion between [H2Si(C5H4)2]W(Me)H and the sigma-complex [H2Si(C5H4)2]W(sigma-HMe) is characterized by normal kinetic isotope effects for both reductive coupling and oxidative cleavage; the equilibrium isotope effect, however, is inverse and is the origin of the inverse kinetic isotope effect for the overall reductive elimination of methane.

The metal is the kinetic site of protonation of (diimine)Pt dimethyl complexes

Protonolysis of (diimine)PtMe2 (1) complexes in CD2Cl2 containing CD3CN at -78 degrees C yields (diimine)PtMe2(H)(NCCD3)+ (4), (diimine)PtMe(NCCD3)+ (5), and methane. The relative yields of 5 and methane decrease with increasing concentrations of CD3CN. This is consistent with protonation of 1 occurring directly at the metal, rather than at a methyl group. The principle of microscopic reversibility then implies that the deprotonation in "Shilov-type C-H activation" occurs from a Pt(IV) hydridomethyl intermediate, rather than from a Pt sigma-methane complex.