The synthesis and structures of nitrile complexes of V(N[tBu]Ar)3, 2 (Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), are described. Thermochemical and kinetic data for their formation were determined by variable temperature Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), calorimetry, and stopped-flow techniques. The extent of back-bonding from metal to coordinated nitrile indicates that electron donation from the metal to the nitrile plays a less prominent role for 2 than for the related complex Mo(N[tBu]Ar)3, 1. Kinetic studies reveal similar rate constants for nitrile binding to 2, but the activation parameters depend critically on the nature of R in RCN. Activation enthalpies range from 2.9 to 7.2 kcal·mol-1, and activation entropies from -9 to -28 cal·mol-1·K-1 in an opposing manner. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a plausible explanation supporting the formation of a π-stacking interaction between a pendant arene of the metal anilide of 2 and the arene substituent on the incoming nitrile in favorable cases. Data for ligand binding to 1 do not exhibit this range of activation parameters and are clustered in a small area centered at ΔH‡ = 5.0 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS‡ = -26 cal·mol-1·K-1. Computational studies are in agreement with the experimental data and indicate a stronger dependence on electronic factors associated with the change in spin state upon ligand binding to 1.

Ball milling of sodium oxides and alkali metal halide salts under a pressure of 2 atm nitrous oxide at temperatures of 38 ± 4 °C is reported. After 2.5 h of ball milling, FTIR data for both 14N2O and 15N2O additions show conclusively that cis-Na2N2O2 is formed based on excellent agreement with data reported earlier by Jansen and Feldmann who prepared pure crystalline cis-Na2N2O2 by reaction of sodium oxide and nitrous oxide for 2 h at 360 °C in a tube furnace. Continued ball milling under nitrous oxide leads to slow buildup of NaNO3 with yields on the order of 24% achieved in 20 h. Production of nitrate only occurs during active ball milling. Studies over the first 10 h reveal a trend among potassium halide salts: KBr ≅ KCl > KI ≫ KF. Ball milling of sodium oxide alone under an atmosphere of N2O gives much lower yields than ball milling in the presence of added alkali metal halide salt. Ball milling of sodium oxide and nitrous oxide in fluorocarbon oil, silicone oil, calcium fluoride, clinoptilolite, molecular sieves, and silica gel does not lead to significant yields of either cis-Na2N2O2 or NaNO3.

The complex [Au(IPr)(2-oxazolidinone)] (1 = IKa) was prepared from reaction of [Au(IPr)Cl] (2), K2CO3, and propargyl amine (PPA). Kinetic studies have been performed for acid cleavage of 1 to yield the oxazolidinone product and an [Au(IPr)(X)] adduct. The fastest rates of cleavage were found to occur for the hydrogen chloride salt of PPA (PPA-HCl) and for the CO2 adduct of PPA, PPA-CO2 = the carbamic acid (CA). This transformation was studied as a function of [CA], pressure of CO2 as well as temperature. Detailed computational studies support the formation of a key intermediate and are also in agreement with a rapid carbonylation/decarbonylation reaction. The computed reactions mechanisms for addition of PPAHCl and CA are also presented as well as the crystal structure of 1. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The rate and mechanism of the elimination of N2O from trans-R3Sn-O-N═N-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (1Ph) and R = Cy (1Cy)) to form R3Sn-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (2Ph) and R = Cy (2Cy)) have been studied using both NMR and IR techniques to monitor the reactions in the temperature range of 39-79 °C in C6D6. Activation parameters for this reaction are ΔH⧧ = 15.8 ± 2.0 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = -28.5 ± 5 cal·mol-1·K-1 for 1Ph and ΔH⧧ = 22.7 ± 2.5 kcal·mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = -12.4 ± 6 cal·mol-1·K-1 for 1Cy. Addition of O2, CO2, N2O, or PPh3 to sealed tube NMR experiments did not alter in a detectable way the rate or product distribution of the reactions. Computational DFT studies of elimination of hyponitrite from trans-Me3Sn-O-N═N-O-SnMe3 (1Me) yield a mechanism involving initial migration of the R3Sn group from O to N passing through a marginally stable intermediate product and subsequent N2O elimination. Reactions of 1Ph with protic acids HX are rapid and lead to formation of R3SnX and trans-H2N2O2. Reaction of 1Ph with the metal radical •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 at low concentrations results in rapid evolution of N2O. At higher •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 concentrations, evolution of CO2 rather than N2O is observed. Addition of 1 atm or less CO2 to benzene or toluene solutions of 2Ph and 2Cy resulted in very rapid reaction to form the corresponding carbonates R3Sn-O-C(═O)-O-SnR3 (R = Ph (3Ph) and R = Cy (3Cy)) at room temperature. Evacuation results in fast loss of bound CO2 and regeneration of 2Ph and 2Cy. Variable temperature data for formation of 3Cy yield ΔHo = -8.7 ± 0.6 kcal·mol-1, ΔSo = -17.1 ± 2.0 cal·mol-1·K-1, and ΔGo298K = -3.6 ± 1.2 kcal·mol-1. DFT studies were performed and provide additional insight into the energetics and mechanisms for the reactions.

Eight new dinuclear gold(I) complexes, [Au-2(L)X-2] (1-8), were synthesized using a straightforward synthetic procedure under very mild conditions. The complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Their catalytic activity was investigated in the carboxylative cyclization of propargylamine (PPA). A superior performance in comparison to [Au(IPr)Cl] (9) was obtained for complexes 1 and 2 having an eight-methylene bridge connecting two NHCs with an arene bearing an isopropyl substituent for X = Cl, Br. This prompted more detailed kinetic and mechanistic studies by FTIR comparing dinuclear complex 2 of X = Cl to complex 9. Fortuitously the FTIR studies allowed monitoring of the formation of the products carbamic acid (CA) and carbamate salt (CS), as well as a key cyclized intermediate first discovered by Ikariya. These data allow additional insight into the mechanism as well as the central role which may be played by Au(I) carbamate formation as a higher energy resting state present in the catalytic cycle. The crystal structures of four of the new complexes and a detailed computational study relevant to the role of carbamic acid (CA) and carbamates in the catalytic cycle are also reported.

Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions to the planar triorganotin radical Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 from HMo(CO)3C5H5 and HCr(CO)3C5R5 (R=H, Me) have been investigated at room temperature in toluene or pentane solution. Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and HMo(CO)3C5H5 react rapidly to yield the previously unreported tin hydride HSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and [Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3]+[Mo(CO)3C5H5]−. Similarly, Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and HCr(CO)3C5H5 react at a slower rate to produce HSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and a complex formulated as Cp(CO)2CrCOSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 based on its solubility in toluene, infrared spectrum, and computational studies. A product with identical spectroscopic properties to the proposed Cp(CO)2CrCOSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 is obtained rapidly in the reaction of Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and [Cr(CO)3C5H5]2. Reaction of Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and HCr(CO)3C5Me5 does not occur at a significant rate at room temperature nor does reaction of Cr(CO)3C5Me5 and HSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3. Fast exchange between HCr(CO)3C5H5 and [Cr(CO)3C5H5]2 results in a single broad peak in the cyclopentadienyl area for mixtures of these two complexes in toluene-d8 at room temperature implying that Cr–Cr bond cleavage and also hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) are faster than the NMR time scale. Computational studies accurately reflect experimental observations. The computed Sn–H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of only 66.7kcal/mol in HSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 places it near the values for M-H BDE in HM(CO)3C5H5 (M=Cr, Mo) leading to a near equilibrium situation with respect to HAT. Reaction of Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 and elemental Hg forms the linear trinuclear HgSn2 cluster Hg[Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3]2. The crystal structures of Hg[Sn(Si(tBu)2Me)3]2 and BrSn(Si(tBu)2Me)3 are reported.

Reaction of [Pd(IPr)2] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and O2 leads to the surprising discovery that at low temperature the initial reaction product is a highly labile peroxide complex cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)]. At temperatures ≳ -40 °C, cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] adds a second O2 to form trans-[Pd(IPr)2(η1-O2)2]. Squid magnetometry and EPR studies yield data that are consistent with a singlet diradical ground state with a thermally accessible triplet state for this unique bis-superoxide complex. In addition to reaction with O2, cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] reacts at low temperature with H2O in methanol/ether solution to form trans-[Pd(IPr)2(OH)(OOH)]. The crystal structure of trans-[Pd(IPr)2(OOH)(OH)] is reported. Neither reaction with O2 nor reaction with H2O occurs under comparable conditions for cis-[Pd(IMes)2(η2-O2)] (IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The increased reactivity of cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] is attributed to the enthalpy of binding of O2 to [Pd(IPr)2] (-14.5 ± 1.0 kcal/mol) that is approximately one-half that of [Pd(IMes)2] (-27.9 ± 1.5 kcal/mol). Computational studies identify the cause as interligand repulsion forcing a wider C-Pd-C angle and tilting of the NHC plane in cis-[Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)]. Arene-arene interactions are more favorable and serve to further stabilize cis-[Pd(IMes)2(η2-O2)]. Inclusion of dispersion effects in DFT calculations leads to improved agreement between experimental and computational enthalpies of O2 binding. A complete reaction diagram is constructed for formation of trans-[Pd(IPr)2(η1-O2)2] and leads to the conclusion that kinetic factors inhibit formation of trans-[Pd(IMes)2(η1-O2)2] at the low temperatures at which it is thermodynamically favored. Failure to detect the predicted T-shaped intermediate trans-[Pd(NHC)2(η1-O2)] for either NHC = IMes or IPr is attributed to dynamic effects. A partial potential energy diagram for initial binding of O2 is constructed. A range of low-energy pathways at different angles of approach are present and blur the distinction between pure "side-on" or "end-on" trajectories for oxygen binding.

Reaction of three equivalents of MesCNO (Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) with one equivalent of [Pd(IPr)(P(p-tolyl)3)] in toluene yields the solid complex [Pd(IPr)(NCMes)(κ2-O–NC-Mes(–N–C(O)Mes))]. Three major steps are proposed to be involved in the reaction based on spectroscopic studies as well as literature precedents for related cycloadditions: i. oxidation of the coordinated phosphine ligand to phosphine oxide ii. oxygen atom transfer forming a CO bond from the N–O bond of MesCNO, and iii. cycloaddition of a final MesCNO ligand to yield product.Addition of two equivalents of NO at low temperature to the in situ generated peroxide complex [Pd(IPr)2(η2-O2)] generates the N-bonded complex trans-[Pd(IPr)2(NO2)2] in keeping with a literature precedent reported for similar complexes. Insight into the energetics of this reaction are probed by DFT calculations using the truncated ligand complex [Pd(IMe)2]. The computed enthalpy of binding of two moles of NO2 to form [Pd(IMe)2(NO2)2] is −112kcal/mol indicating that its preparation from [Pd(IMe)2], N2 and 2O2 is thermodynamically favorable by −96kcal/mol. Crystal structures of [Pd(IPr)(NCMes)(κ2-O–NC-Mes(–N–C(O)Mes))] and trans-[Pd(IPr)2(NO2)2] are reported.

The kinetics of the reaction of Ph3SnH with excess •Cr(CO)3C5Me5 = •Cr, producing HCr and Ph3Sn-Cr, was studied in toluene solution under 2-3 atm CO pressure in the temperature range of 17-43.5 °C. It was found to obey the rate equation d[Ph3Sn-Cr]/dt = k[Ph3SnH][•Cr] and exhibit a normal kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 1.12 ± 0.04). Variable-temperature studies yielded ΔH‡ = 15.7 ± 1.5 kcal/mol and ΔS‡ = -11 ± 5 cal/(mol·K) for the reaction. These data are interpreted in terms of a two-step mechanism involving a thermodynamically uphill hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) producing Ph3Sn• and HCr, followed by rapid trapping of Ph3Sn• by excess •Cr to produce Ph3Sn-Cr. Assuming an overbarrier of 2 ± 1 kcal/mol in the HAT step leads to a derived value of 76.0 ± 3.0 kcal/mol for the Ph3Sn-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) in toluene solution. The reaction enthalpy of Ph3SnH with excess •Cr was measured by reaction calorimetry in toluene solution, and a value of the Sn-Cr BDE in Ph3Sn-Cr of 50.4 ± 3.5 kcal/mol was derived. Qualitative studies of the reactions of other R3SnH compounds with •Cr are described for R = nBu, tBu, and Cy. The dehydrogenation reaction of 2Ph3SnH → H2 + Ph3SnSnPh3 was found to be rapid and quantitative in the presence of catalytic amounts of the complex Pd(IPr)(P(p-tolyl)3). The thermochemistry of this process was also studied in toluene solution using varying amounts of the Pd(0) catalyst. The value of ΔH = -15.8 ± 2.2 kcal/mol yields a value of the Sn-Sn BDE in Ph3SnSnPh3 of 63.8 ± 3.7 kcal/mol. Computational studies of the Sn-H, Sn-Sn, and Sn-Cr BDEs are in good agreement with experimental data and provide additional insight into factors controlling reactivity in these systems. The structures of Ph3Sn-Cr and Cy3Sn-Cr were determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported. Mechanistic aspects of oxidative addition reactions in this system are discussed.

The reaction of Pt(COD)2 with one equivalent of tri-tert-butylstannane, Bu(t)3SnH, at room temperature yields Pt(SnBu(t)3)(COD)(H)(3) in quantitative yield. In the presence of excess Bu(t)3SnH, the reaction goes further, yielding the dinuclear bridging stannylene complex [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(μ-SnBu(t)2)(H)2]2 (4). The dinuclear complex 4 reacts rapidly and reversibly with CO to furnish [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(μ-SnBu(t)2)(CO)(H)2]2 (5). Complex 3 reacts with N,N'-di-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidene, IBu(t), at room temperature to give the dinuclear bridging hydride complex [Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(μ-H)]2 (6). Complex 6 reacts with CO, C2H4, and H2 to give the corresponding mononuclear Pt complexes Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(CO)(H)(7), Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(C2H4)(H)(8), and Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(H)3 (9), respectively. The reaction of IBu(t) with the complex Pt(SnBu(t)3)2(CO)2 (10) yielded an abnormal Pt-carbene complex Pt(SnBu(t)3)2(aIBu(t))(CO) (11). DFT computational studies of the dimeric complexes [Pt(SnR3)(NHC)(μ-H)]2, the potentially more reactive monomeric complexes Pt(SnR3)(NHC)(H) and the trihydride species Pt(SnBu(t)3)(IBu(t))(H)3 have been performed, for NHC = IMe and R = Me and for NHC = IBu(t) and R = Bu(t). The structures of complexes 3-8 and 11 have been determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported.

Enthalpies of ligand substitution for [Mo(η5-C5H5)(CO)2(NO)] producing [Mo(η5-C5H5)Mo(CO)(L)(NO)] have been measured by solution calorimetry at 30 °C in THF for L = P(OMe)3 < PMePh2 < SIPr < PMe2Ph < IPr < PMe < PnBu3 (SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinylidene; IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene)). The accepting metal fragment [Mo(η5-C5H5)(CO)(NO)] has a vacant site containing strongly π-accepting carbonyl and nitrosyl ligands and this is shown to influence the stability of the product complex. Infrared studies of both νCO and νNO show that metal-to-ligand backbonding increases in the order P(OMe)3 < PMe3 < SIPr < IPr implying that both steric and electronic factors play a role in determining complex stability. The crystal structures of [Mo(η5-C5H5)(CO)(IPr)(NO)] and [Mo(η5-C5H5)(CO)(SIPr)(NO)] are reported.

Net reductive elimination (RE) of MeX (X = halide or pseudo-halide: Cl(-), CF3CO2(-), HSO4(-), OH(-)) is an important step during Pt-catalyzed hydrocarbon functionalization. Developing Rh(I/III)-based catalysts for alkane functionalization is an attractive alternative to Pt-based systems, but very few examples of RE of alkyl halides and/or pseudo-halides from Rh(III) complexes have been reported. Here, we compare the influence of the ligand donor strength on the thermodynamic potentials for oxidative addition and reductive functionalization using [(t)Bu3terpy]RhCl (1) {(t)Bu3terpy = 4,4',4''-tri-tert-butylpyridine} and [(NO2)3terpy]RhCl (2) {(NO2)3terpy = 4,4',4''-trinitroterpyridine}. Complex 1 oxidatively adds MeX {X = I(-), Cl(-), CF3CO2(-) (TFA(-))} to afford [(t)Bu3terpy]RhMe(Cl)(X) {X = I(-) (3), Cl(-) (4), TFA(-) (5)}. By having three electron-withdrawing NO2 groups, complex 2 does not react with MeCl or MeTFA, but reacts with MeI to yield [(NO2)3terpy]RhMe(Cl)(I) (6). Heating 6 expels MeCl along with a small quantity of MeI. Repeating this experiment but with excess [Bu4N]Cl exclusively yields MeCl, while adding [Bu4N]TFA yields a mixture of MeTFA and MeCl. In contrast, 3 does not reductively eliminate MeX under similar conditions. DFT calculations successfully predict the reaction outcome by complexes 1 and 2. Calorimetric measurements of [(t)Bu3terpy]RhI (7) and [(t)Bu3terpy]RhMe(I)2 (8) were used to corroborate computational models. Finally, the mechanism of MeCl RE from 6 was investigated via DFT calculations, which supports a nucleophilic attack by either I(-) or Cl(-) on the Rh-CH3 bond of a five-coordinate Rh complex.

The enthalpy of oxygen atom transfer (OAT) to V[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1, forming OV[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1-O, and the enthalpies of sulfur atom transfer (SAT) to 1 and V(N[t-Bu]Ar)3, 2 (Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2), forming the corresponding sulfides SV[(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N], 1-S, and SV(N[t-Bu]Ar)3, 2-S, have been measured by solution calorimetry in toluene solution using dbabhNO (dbabhNO = 7-nitroso-2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) and Ph3SbS as chalcogen atom transfer reagents. The V-O BDE in 1-O is 6.3 ± 3.2 kcal·mol(-1) lower than the previously reported value for 2-O and the V-S BDE in 1-S is 3.3 ± 3.1 kcal·mol(-1) lower than that in 2-S. These differences are attributed primarily to a weakening of the V-Naxial bond present in complexes of 1 upon oxidation. The rate of reaction of 1 with dbabhNO has been studied by low temperature stopped-flow kinetics. Rate constants for OAT are over 20 times greater than those reported for 2. Adamantyl isonitrile (AdNC) binds rapidly and quantitatively to both 1 and 2 forming high spin adducts of V(III). The enthalpies of ligand addition to 1 and 2 in toluene solution are -19.9 ± 0.6 and -17.1 ± 0.7 kcal·mol(-1), respectively. The more exothermic ligand addition to 1 as compared to 2 is opposite to what was observed for OAT and SAT. This is attributed to less weakening of the V-Naxial bond in ligand binding as opposed to chalcogen atom transfer and is in keeping with structural data and computations. The structures of 1, 1-O, 1-S, 1-CNAd, and 2-CNAd have been determined by X-ray crystallography and are reported.

Pt(IV) complexes trans-Pt(PEt3)(2)(R)(Br)(3) (R = Br, aryl and polycyclic aromatic fragments) photoeliminate molecular bromine with quantum yields as high as 82%. Photoelimination occurs both in the solid state and in solution. Calorimetry measurements and DFT calculations (PMe3 analogs) indicate endothermic and endergonic photoeliminations with free energies from 2 to 22 kcal/mol of Br-2. Solution trapping experiments with high concentrations of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene suggest a radical-like excited state precursor to bromine elimination.