Mass spectrometric characterization of methylaluminoxane-activated metallocene complexes.

Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometric studies of poly(methylaluminoxane) (MAO) in the presence of [Cp2 ZrMe2 ], [Cp2 ZrMe(Cl)], and [Cp2 ZrCl2 ] in fluorobenzene (PhF) solution are reported. The results demonstrate that alkylation and ionization are separate events that occur at competitive rates in a polar solvent. Furthermore, there are significant differences in ion-pair speciation that result from the use of metallocene dichloride complexes in comparison to alkylated precursors at otherwise identical Al/Zr ratios. Finally, the counter anions that form are dependent on the choice of precursor and Al/Zr ratio; halogenated aluminoxane anions [(MeAlO)x (Me3 Al)y-z (Me2 AlCl)z Me](-) (z=1, 2, 3…︁) are observed using metal chloride complexes and under some conditions may predominate over their non-halogenated precursors [(MeAlO)x (Me3 Al)y Me](-) . Specifically, this halogenation process appears selective for the anions that form in comparison to the neutral components of MAO. Only at very high Al/Zr ratios is the same "native" anion distribution observed when using [Cp2 ZrCl2 ] when compared with [Cp2 ZrMe2 ]. Together, the results suggest that the need for a large excess of MAO when using metallocene dichloride complexes is a reflection of competitive alkylation vs. ionization, the persistence of unreactive, homodinuclear ion pairs in the case of [Cp2 ZrCl2 ], as well as a change in ion pairing resulting from modification of the anions formed at lower Al/Zr ratios. Models for neutral precursors and anions are examined computationally.

External-stimuli responsive photophysics and liquid crystal properties of self-assembled "phosphole-lipids".

A series of new amphiphilic phosphonium materials that combine the electronic features of phospholes with self-assembly features of lipids were synthesized. Variable concentration/temperature and 2D NMR studies suggested that the systems undergo intramolecular conformation changes between a "closed" and "open" form that are triggered by intermolecular interactions. The amphiphilic features of the phospholium species also induce liquid crystalline and soft crystal phase behavior in the solid state, which was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (VT-PXRD). The studies revealed that both conjugated backbones and counteranions work together to organize the systems into different morphologies (liquid crystal/soft crystal). Dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole-based compounds exhibit enhanced emission in the solid state and at low temperature in solution due to aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE). Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) induced via the alkoxybenzyl group at the phosphonium center in the fused-ring systems can be effectively suppressed through intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes within the main scaffold of a nonfused system, which was confirmed by static and dynamic fluorescence spectroscopy. The dynamic features of these new materials also endow the systems with external-stimuli responsive photophysical properties that can be triggered by temperature and/or mechanical forces.

Unraveling the roles of the acid medium, experimental probes, and terminal oxidant, (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6], in the study of a homogeneous water oxidation catalyst.

The oxidation of water catalyzed by [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](ClO(4))(2) (1; tpy = 2,2';6'',2''-terpyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) is evaluated in different acidic media at variable oxidant concentrations. The observed rate of dioxygen evolution catalyzed by 1 is found to be highly dependent on pH and the identity of the acid; e.g., d[O(2)]/dt is progressively faster in H(2)SO(4), CF(3)SO(3)H (HOTf), HClO(4), and HNO(3), respectively. This trend does not track with thermodynamic driving force of the electron-transfer reactions between the terminal oxidant, (NH(4))(2)[Ce(NO(3))(6)] (CAN), and Ru catalyst in each of the acids. The particularly high reactivity in HNO(3) is attributed to the NO(3)(-) anion: (i) enabling relatively fast electron-transfer steps; (ii) participating in a base-assisted concerted atom-proton transfer process that circumvents the formation of high energy intermediates during the O-O bond formation process; and (iii) accelerating the liberation of dioxygen from the catalyst. Consequently, the position of the rate-determining step within the catalytic cycle can be affected by the acid medium. These factors collectively contribute to the position of the rate-determining step within the catalytic cycle being affected by the acid medium. This offering also outlines how other experimental issues (e.g., spontaneous decay of the Ce(IV) species in acidic media; CAN/catalyst molar ratio; types of catalytic probes) can affect the Ce(IV)-driven oxidation of water catalyzed by homogeneous molecular complexes.

Electronic modification of the [Ru(II)(tpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) scaffold: effects on catalytic water oxidation.

The mechanistic details of the Ce(IV)-driven oxidation of water mediated by a series of structurally related catalysts formulated as [Ru(tpy)(L)(OH(2))](2+) [L = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1; 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine (bpy-OMe), 2; 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine (bpy-CO(2)H), 3; tpy = 2,2';6'',2''-terpyridine] is reported. Cyclic voltammetry shows that each of these complexes undergo three successive (proton-coupled) electron-transfer reactions to generate the [Ru(V)(tpy)(L)O](3+) ([Ru(V)=O](3+)) motif; the relative positions of each of these redox couples reflects the nature of the electron-donating or withdrawing character of the substituents on the bpy ligands. The first two (proton-coupled) electron-transfer reaction steps (k(1) and k(2)) were determined by stopped-flow spectroscopic techniques to be faster for 3 than 1 and 2. The addition of one (or more) equivalents of the terminal electron-acceptor, (NH(4))(2)[Ce(NO(3))(6)] (CAN), to the [Ru(IV)(tpy)(L)O](2+) ([Ru(IV)=O](2+)) forms of each of the catalysts, however, leads to divergent reaction pathways. The addition of 1 eq of CAN to the [Ru(IV)=O](2+) form of 2 generates [Ru(V)=O](3+) (k(3) = 3.7 M(-1) s(-1)), which, in turn, undergoes slow O-O bond formation with the substrate (k(O-O) = 3 × 10(-5) s(-1)). The minimal (or negligible) thermodynamic driving force for the reaction between the [Ru(IV)=O](2+) form of 1 or 3 and 1 eq of CAN results in slow reactivity, but the rate-determining step is assigned as the liberation of dioxygen from the [Ru(IV)-OO](2+) level under catalytic conditions for each complex. Complex 2, however, passes through the [Ru(V)-OO](3+) level prior to the rapid loss of dioxygen. Evidence for a competing reaction pathway is provided for 3, where the [Ru(V)=O](3+) and [Ru(III)-OH](2+) redox levels can be generated by disproportionation of the [Ru(IV)=O](2+) form of the catalyst (k(d) = 1.2 M(-1) s(-1)). An auxiliary reaction pathway involving the abstraction of an O-atom from CAN is also implicated during catalysis. The variability of reactivity for 1-3, including the position of the RDS and potential for O-atom transfer from the terminal oxidant, is confirmed to be intimately sensitive to electron density at the metal site through extensive kinetic and isotopic labeling experiments. This study outlines the need to strike a balance between the reactivity of the [Ru═O](z) unit and the accessibility of higher redox levels in pursuit of robust and reactive water oxidation catalysts.

Direct observation of key intermediates by negative-ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry in palladium-catalysed cross-coupling.

Negative-ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry with an anionic phosphine ligand enables detection of key intermediates in the Sonogashira reaction. MS/MS techniques are used to generate a Hammett plot for the key reductive elimination step.

Insight into water oxidation by mononuclear polypyridyl Ru catalysts.

A family of compounds based on the mononuclear coordination complex [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) (1b; tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) are shown to be competent catalysts in the Ce(IV)-driven oxidation of water in acidic media. The systematic installation of electron-withdrawing (e.g., -Cl, -COOH) and -donating (e.g., -OMe) groups at various positions about the periphery of the polypyridyl framework offers insight into how electronic parameters affect the properties of water oxidation catalysts. It is observed, in general, that electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) on the bpy ligands suppress catalytic activity (k(obs)) and enhance catalytic turnover numbers (TONs); conversely, the presence of electron-donating groups (EDGs) accelerate catalytic rates while decreasing catalyst stability. We found that 2,2'-bipyridine N,N'-dioxide is produced when 1b is subject to excess Ce(IV) in acidic media, which suggests that dissociation of the bpy ligand is a source of catalyst deactivation and/or decomposition. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborate these findings by showing that the Ru-N(bpy) bond trans to the O atom is weakened at higher oxidation levels while the other Ru-N bonds are affected to a lesser extent. We also show that the Ru-Cl bond is not robust in aqueous media, which has implications in studying the catalytic behavior of systems of this type.

Gas-phase reactivity of ruthenium carbonyl cluster anions.

Partially-ligated anionic ruthenium carbonyl clusters react with alkenes, arenes, and alkanes in the gas phase; the products undergo extensive C-H activation and lose dihydrogen and carbon monoxide under collision-induced dissociation conditions. Triethylsilane and phenylsilane are also reactive towards the unsaturated clusters, and oxygen was shown to rapidly break down the cluster core by oxidative cleavage of the metal-metal bonds. These qualitative gas-phase reactivity studies were conducted using an easily-installed and inexpensive modification of a commercial electrospray ionization mass spectrometer. Interpretation of the large amounts of data generated in these studies is made relatively straightforward by employing energy-dependent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EDESI-MS).

Ionic liquids enable electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry in hexane.

Addition of a lipophilic ionic liquid to non-polar, hydrocarbon solvents (such as hexane and toluene) permits electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric analysis of dissolved analytes.