On the selective cleavage of nitrous oxide by metal-amide complexes.

Computational investigation of nitrous oxide cleavage by metal-amide systems has shown that a bimetallic mechanism is compatible with the remarkable experimental observation of selective N-N bond scission by a di-molybdenum system, and that the interplay between the bonding energetics of reactants and products can both provide an explanation for the observed cleavage selectivity and be utilized to modify and design chemical behaviour.

On the unprecedented level of dinitrogen activation in the calix[4]arene complex of Nb(III).

The calix[4]arene niobium(III) complex ([L]Nb-N=N-Nb[L] where [L] = p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene), reported to bind N(2) in a µ(2)-linear dimeric capacity and to activate the N(2) triple bond to 1.39 Å, corresponding to the longest N(2) bond known in the end-on coordination mode, was subjected to a computational investigation involving both density functional and wavefunction based methods to establish the basis for the unprecedented level of activation. Replacement of the calix[4]arene ligand with hydroxide or methoxide ligands reveals that the organic backbone structure of the calix[4]arene ligand exerts negligible electronic influence over the metal centre, serving only to geometrically constrain the coordinating phenoxide groups. A fragment bonding analysis shows that metal-to-dinitrogen π* backbonding is the principal Nb-N interaction, providing a strong electronic basis for analogy with other well-characterised three- and four-coordinate complexes which bind N(2) end-on. While the calculated structure of the metallacalix[4]arene unit is reproduced with high accuracy, as is also the Nb-Nb separation, the calculated equilibrium geometry of the complex under a variety of conditions consistently indicates against a 1.39 Å activation of the N(2) bond. Instead, the calculated N-N distances fall within the range 1.26-1.30 Å, a result concordant with closely related three- and four-coordinate µ(2)-N(2) complexes as well as predictions derived from trends in N-N stretching frequency for a number of crystallographically characterized linear N(2) activators. A number of potential causes for this bond length discrepancy are explored.

Oxidative addition of the imidazolium cation to zerovalent Ni, Pd, and Pt: a combined density functional and experimental study.

Oxidative addition of different imidazolium cations to zerovalent group 10 metals, to afford heterocyclic carbene complexes, has been investigated by both density functional theory (DFT) and experimental studies. The theoretical analysis shows that addition of imidazoliums to Pt(0) and Ni(0) is more exothermic than to Pd(0), and Ni(0) is predicted to react with a much lower barrier than either Pt(0) or Pd(0). Strongly basic supporting ligands on the metal, as well as cis-chelating ligands, increase the exothermicity of the reaction and also lower the activation barrier. The addition of 2-H imidazoliums is easier and more exothermic than addition of 2-alkylimidazoliums, and a halo-imidazolium is expected to further lower the barrier to oxidative addition and increase the exothermicity. The DFT results show that all three of the metals should be able to oxidatively add imidazolium cations under appropriate conditions. Experimental studies confirmed that oxidative addition is possible, and a number of Pt- and Pd-carbene complexes were prepared via oxidative addition of imidazolium salts to M(0) precursors. Most significantly, oxidative addition of 2-H azolium salts was found to readily occur, and the reaction of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate with Pt(PPh(3))(2) and Pt(PCy(3))(2) affords [PtH(dmiy)(PPh(3))(2)]BF(4) (10) and [PtH(dmiy)(PCy(3))(2)]BF(4) (11), while reaction between 3,4-dimethylthiazolium tetrafluoroborate and Pt(PCy(3))(2) yields [PtH(dmty)(PCy(3))(2)]BF(4) (12) (dmiy = 1,3-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene, dmty = 3,4-dimethylthiazolin-2-ylidene). Addition of 2-iodo-1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate to Pt(PPh(3))(4) or Pd(dcype)(dba) yields [PtI(tmiy)(PPh(3))(2)]BF(4) (9) and [PdI(tmiy)(dcype)]BF(4) (14), respectively (tmiy = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene, dcype = 1,3-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane)). X-ray crystal structures are reported for complexes 9 and 11 (cis and trans). These studies clearly show for the first time that oxidative addition of imidazolium and thiazolium cations is possible, and the results are discussed in terms of the ramifications for catalysis in imidazolium-based ionic liquids with both carbene-based and non-carbene-based complexes.

Kinetic and density functional studies on alkyl-carbene elimination from Pd(II) heterocylic carbene complexes: a new type of reductive elimination with clear implications for catalysis.

A number of new methyl-Pd(II) complexes of heterocyclic carbenes of the form [PdMe(tmiy)L(2)]BF(4) have been prepared, and their reaction behavior has been studied (tmiy = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene, L = cyclooctadiene (8), methyldiphenylphosphine (9), triphenyl phosphite (10), triphenylphosphine (11)). In common with other hydrocarbyl-M carbene complexes (M = Pd, Ni) the complexes are predisposed to a facile decomposition process. A detailed mechanism for the process and of the decomposition pathway followed is presented herein. All complexes decompose with first-order kinetics to yield 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and Pd(0) species. The kinetic investigations combined with density functional studies show that the complexes decompose via a mechanism of concerted reductive elimination of the methyl group and carbene. The reaction represents a new type of reductive elimination from transition metals and also represents a low-energy pathway to catalyst deactivation for catalysts based on heterocyclic carbenes. The theoretical studies indicate extensive involvement of the p(pi) orbital on the carbene carbon in the transition structure. Methods of stabilizing catalysts based on heterocyclic carbene complexes are suggested, and the possibility of involvement of carbene species during catalysis in ionic liquids is discussed.

Ligand design for alpha1 adrenoceptor subtype selective antagonists.

Alpha1 adrenoceptors have three subtypes and drugs interacting selectively with these subtypes could be useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases. In order to gain an insight into the structural principles governing subtype selectivity, ligand based drug design (pharmacophore development) methods have been used to design a novel 1,2,3-thiadiazole ring D analogue of the aporphine system. Synthesis and testing of this compound as a ligand on cloned and expressed human alpha1 adrenoceptors is described. Low binding affinity was found, possibly due to an unfavourable electrostatic potential distribution. Pharmacophore models for antagonists at the three adrenoceptor sites (alpha1A, alpha1B, alpha1D) were generated from a number of different training sets and their value for the design of new selective antagonists discussed. The first preliminary antagonist pharmacophore model for the alpha1D adrenoceptor subtype is also reported.

A quantitative investigation of the transannular amine-ketone (N...C=O) interaction in medium-sized heterocycles.

The transannular N...C=O interaction in several medium-sized heterocycles has been investigated by force-field methods. Conformational searching has been performed at the molecular mechanics level using different methods and the conformers so generated have been reoptimized at RHF/6-31G(d). For selected conformers, N...C distances are reported, together with transannular bond orders and atomic charges. Good agreement with available X-ray crystallographic data is obtained for the transannular bond distance in cryptopine. Changes in the partial atomic charges derived from the electrostatic potential provide good support for the donor-acceptor model of transannular interactions. Partial charges derived with other methods do not give satisfactory results. Some force fields do not reproduce the transannular interaction very well. This is demonstrated and rationalized, and modifications are suggested and tested for these force fields with good results when comparing diagnostic geometric features with X-ray data.