Mechanism of dihydrogen cleavage by high-valent metal oxo compounds: experimental and computational studies.

The oxidation of dihydrogen by metal tetraoxo compounds was investigated. Kinetic measurements of the oxidations of H(2) by MnO(4)(-) and RuO(4), performed by UV-vis spectroscopy, showed these reactions to be quite rapid at 25 degrees C (k(1) approximately (3-6) x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1)). Rates measured for H(2) oxidation by MnO(4)(-) in aqueous solution (using KMnO(4)) and in chlorobenzene (using (n)Bu(4)NMnO(4)) revealed only a minor solvent effect on the reaction rate. Substantial kinetic isotope effects [(k(H)2/k(D)2 = 3.8(2) (MnO(4)(-), aq), 4.5(5) (MnO(4)(-), C(6)H(5)Cl soln), and 1.8(6) (RuO(4), CCl(4) soln)] indicated that H-H bond cleavage is rate determining and that the mechanism of dihydrogen cleavage is likely similar in aqueous and organic solutions. Third-row transition-metal oxo compounds, such as OsO(4), ReO(4)(-), and MeReO(3), were found to be completely unreactive toward H(2). Experiments were performed to probe for a catalytic hydrogen/deuterium exchange between D(2) and H(2)O as possible evidence of dihydrogen sigma-complex intermediates, but no H/D exchange was observed in the presence of various metal oxo compounds at various pH values. In addition, no inhibition of RuO(4)-catalyzed hydrocarbon oxidation by H(2) was observed. On the basis of the available evidence, a concerted mechanism for the cleavage of H(2) by metal tetraoxo compounds is proposed. Theoretical models were developed for pertinent MnO(4)(-) + H(2) transition states using density functional theory in order to differentiate between concerted [2 + 2] and [3 + 2] scissions of H(2). The density functional theory calculations strongly favor the [3 + 2] mechanism and show that the H(2) cleavage shares some mechanistic features with related hydrocarbon oxidation reactions. The calculated activation energy for the [3 + 2] pathway (DeltaH(++) = 15.4 kcal mol(-1)) is within 2 kcal mol(-1) of the experimental value.

The RS-.HSR Hydrogen Bond: acidities of alpha,omega-dithiols and electron affinities of their monoradicals.

Gas-phase acidities (deltaGo(acid)) have been measured for 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, and 1,4-butanedithiol, using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Adiabatic electron affinities (EAs) of the thiolate monoradicals of these compounds were assigned from electron photodetachment spectra of their corresponding thiolate monoanions, acquired using a cw-ICR. The dithiols exhibit enhanced acidities (up to 8.7 kcal/mol in deltaGo(acid)) and greater EAs (up to 6.7 kcal/mol) than analogous monothiol species. These differences are attributed to an intramolecular RS-.HSR hydrogen bond in the thiolate anion. Considerations of the RO-.HOR hydrogen bond in monoanions of alpha,omega-diols and in the [CH(3)O-.HOCH(3)] complex anion suggest that the RS-.HSR hydrogen bond provides up to 9 kcal/mol extra stabilization.

Photochemistry. Twist and fluoresce.

Catalytic antibodies, or artificial enzymes, act as catalysts by lowering the energy of the transition state of a reaction. In his Perspective, Brauman highlights the study by Simeonov et al., who have applied similar principles to photochemical processes and shown that intense fluorescence can be achieved. The approach provides a way of measuring internal molecular motion within the antibody on a very fast time scale. Fluorescent antibodies may find applications in immunochemistry, histological assays, and genomic studies.

Regioselective and enantioselective epoxidation catalyzed by metalloporphyrins.

Recent progress in regioselective and enantioselective epoxidations catalyzed by metalloporphyrins is discussed here, with an explanation of the biomimetic antecedents of this area and its relevance to synthetic applications. Classification of the catalysts that have been studied allows useful conclusions to be drawn about the development of this field. In particular, both the most promising biomimetic and practical catalysts have arisen from systems that can be systematically modified by convenient synthetic methodology.