Outer-Sphere 2 e- /2 H+ Transfer Reactions of Ruthenium(II)-Amine and Ruthenium(IV)-Amido Complexes.

A diverse set of 2 e- /2 H+ reactions are described that interconvert [RuII (bpy)(en*)2 ]2+ and [RuIV (bpy)(en-H*)2 ]2+ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, en*=H2 NCMe2 CMe2 NH2 , en*-H=H2 NCMe2 CMe2 NH- ), forming or cleaving different O-H, N-H, S-H, and C-H bonds. The reactions involve quinones, hydrazines, thiols, and 1,3-cyclohexadiene. These proton-coupled electron transfer reactions occur without substrate binding to the ruthenium center, but instead with precursor complex formation by hydrogen bonding. The free energies of the reactions vary over more than 90 kcal mol-1 , but the rates are more dependent on the type of X-H bond involved than the associated ΔG°. There is a kinetic preference for substrates that have the transferring hydrogen atoms in close proximity, such as ortho-tetrachlorobenzoquinone over its para-isomer and 1,3-cyclohexadiene over its 1,4-isomer, perhaps hinting at the potential for concerted 2 e- /2 H+ transfers.

Genome Sequence and Transcriptome Analyses of Chrysochromulina tobin: Metabolic Tools for Enhanced Algal Fitness in the Prominent Order Prymnesiales (Haptophyceae).

Haptophytes are recognized as seminal players in aquatic ecosystem function. These algae are important in global carbon sequestration, form destructive harmful blooms, and given their rich fatty acid content, serve as a highly nutritive food source to a broad range of eco-cohorts. Haptophyte dominance in both fresh and marine waters is supported by the mixotrophic nature of many taxa. Despite their importance the nuclear genome sequence of only one haptophyte, Emiliania huxleyi (Isochrysidales), is available. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Chrysochromulina tobin (Prymnesiales), and transcriptome data collected at seven time points over a 24-hour light/dark cycle. The nuclear genome of C. tobin is small (59 Mb), compact (∼ 40% of the genome is protein coding) and encodes approximately 16,777 genes. Genes important to fatty acid synthesis, modification, and catabolism show distinct patterns of expression when monitored over the circadian photoperiod. The C. tobin genome harbors the first hybrid polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthase gene complex reported for an algal species, and encodes potential anti-microbial peptides and proteins involved in multidrug and toxic compound extrusion. A new haptophyte xanthorhodopsin was also identified, together with two "red" RuBisCO activases that are shared across many algal lineages. The Chrysochromulina tobin genome sequence provides new information on the evolutionary history, ecology and economic importance of haptophytes.

N,O-Chelating Four-Membered Metallacyclic Titanium(IV) Complexes for Atom-Economic Catalytic Reactions.

Titanium, as the second most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust, lends itself as a sustainable and inexpensive resource in catalysis. Its nontoxicity and biocompatibility are also attractive features for handling and disposal. Titanium has excelled as a catalyst for a broad range of transformations, including ethylene and α-olefin polymerizations. However, many reactions relevant to fine chemical synthesis have preferrentially employed late transition metals, and reactive, inexpensive early transition metals have been largely overlooked. In addition to promising reactivity, titanium complexes feature more robust character compared with some other highly Lewis-acidic metals such as those found in the lanthanide series. Since the advent of modulating ligand scaffolds, titanium has found use in a growing variety of reactions as a versatile homogeneous catalyst. These catalytic transformations include hydrofunctionalization reactions (adding an element-hydrogen (E-H) bond across a C-C multiple bond), as well as the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, all of which are atom-economic transformations. Our investigations have focused on tight bite angle monoanionic N,O-chelating ligands, forming four-membered metallacycles. These ligand sets, including amidates, ureates, pyridonates, and sulfonamidates, have flexible binding modes offering a range of stable and reactive intermediates necessary for catalytic activity. Additionally, the simple form of these ligands leads to easily prepared proligands, along with facile tuning of steric and electronic factors. A sterically bulky titanium amidate complex has proven to be a leading catalyst for the selective formation of anti-Markovnikov addition products via intermolecular hydroamination of terminal alkynes, while sterically less demanding titanium pyridonates have opened the path to the selective formation of amine substituted cycloalkanes via the intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation of aminoalkenes over the competing hydroamination pathway. Sulfonamidates have boosted reactivity for hydrofunctionalization and polymerization reactions compared with amide ligands not bearing a sulfonyl group. N,O-Chelated titanium complexes have been used to synthesize ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and have been utilized in the challenging task of realizing equal incorporation of two different cyclic esters in a random ring-opening copolymerization. These discrete complexes have allowed for careful study of fundamental coordination chemistry and stoichiometric organometallic investigations. With inexpensive starting materials and modular ligands, titanium N,O-chelated complexes are well-suited to address the challenges of achieving greener chemical processes while accessing useful reaction manifolds for sustainable synthesis.

Ligand effects on the oxidative addition of halogens to (dpp-nacnac(R))Rh(phdi).

The treatment of (dpp-nacnac(R))Rh(phdi) {(dpp-nacnac(R))(-) = CH[C(R)(N-(i)Pr2C6H3)]2(-); R = CH3, CF3; phdi = 9,10-phenanthrenediimine} with X2 oxidants afforded octahedral rhodium(III) products in the case of X = Cl and Br. The octahedral complexes exhibit well-behaved cyclic voltammograms in which a two-electron reduction is observed to regenerate the initial rhodium(I) complex. When treated with I2, (dpp-nacnac(CH3))Rh(phdi) produced a square pyramidal η(1)-I2 complex, which was characterized by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The more electron poor complex (dpp-nacnac(CF3))Rh(phdi) reacted with I2 to give a mixture of two products that were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy as a square pyramidal η(1)-I2 complex and an octahedral diiodide complex. Reaction of the square pyramidal (dpp-nacnac(CH3))Rh(I2)(phdi) with HBF4 resulted in protonation of the (dpp-nacnac(CH3))(-) backbone to provide an octahedral rhodium(III) diiodide species. These reactions highlight the impact that changes in the electron-withdrawing nature of the supporting ligands can have on the reactivity at the metal center.

A Comprehensive GC-MS Sub-Microscale Assay for Fatty Acids and its Applications.

Fatty acid analysis is essential to a broad range of applications including those associated with the nascent algal biofuel and algal bioproduct industries. Current fatty acid profiling methods require lengthy, sequential extraction and transesterification steps necessitating significant quantities of analyte. We report the development of a rapid, microscale, single-step, in situ protocol for GC-MS lipid analysis that requires only 250 µg dry mass per sample. We furthermore demonstrate the broad applications of this technique by profiling the fatty acids of several algal species, small aquatic organisms, insects and terrestrial plant material. When combined with fluorescent techniques utilizing the BODIPY dye family and flow cytometry, this micro-assay serves as a powerful tool for analyzing fatty acids in laboratory and field collected samples, for high-throughput screening, and for crop assessment. Additionally, the high sensitivity of the technique allows for population analyses across a wide variety of taxa.

Redox behavior of rhodium 9,10-phenanthrenediimine complexes.

New square-planar rhodium complexes of the redox-active ligand 9,10-phenenthrenediimine (phdi) have been prepared and studied. The complexes [dpp-nacnac(CH3)]Rh(phdi) (2a; [dpp-nacnac(CH3)](-) = CH[C(Me)(N-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))](2)(-)) and [dpp-nacnac(CF3)]Rh(phdi) (2b; [dpp-nacnac(CF3)](-) = CH[C(CF(3))(N-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))](2)(-)) have been prepared from the corresponding [nacnac]Rh(CO)(2) synthons by treatment with Me(3)NO in the presence of the phdi ligand. Complexes 2a and 2b are diamagnetic, and their absorption spectra are dominated by intense charge-transfer transitions throughout the visible region. Electrochemical studies indicate that both the phdi ligand and the rhodium metal center are redox-active, with the [nacnac](-) ligands serving to modulate the one-electron-oxidation and -reduction redox potentials. In the case of 2a, chemical oxidation and reduction reactions provided access to the one-electron-oxidized cation, [2a](+), and one-electron-reduced anion, [2a](-), the latter of which has been characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Solution electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of [2a](+) and [2a](-) are consistent with S = (1)/(2) spin systems, but surprisingly the low-temperature spectrum of [2a](-) shows a high degree of rhombicity, suggestive of rhodium(II) character in the reduced anion.