Aromatic hydrocarbons, carbocyclic ligands spanning several oxidation states in both Main Group and transition elements. Recent advances with early transition d elements

In this paper some synthetic procedures to obtain (η⁶-arene)metal derivatives are reviewed. The metal-atom-arene-vapor co-condensation technique is the most appropriate to generate complexes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heterocycles. As far as the aluminium halide-mediated synthesis is concerned, two classes of reaction are observed. When AlX₃ is used with a metal halide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon in the absence of any reducing agent, AlX₃ can function as a dehalogenating agent, to give ionic compounds of general formula [M(η⁶-arene)n](AlX₄)_m, or it can add across the M---X bond with formation of M(μ-X)_nAlX_4−n systems. In both cases the metal displays its typical oxidation state. However, the use of AlX₃ in combination with aluminium (the Fischer-Hafner reducing system) affords ionic or covalent low-oxidation-state metal(η⁶-arene) complexes. Attention is focused on our most recent results concerning the synthesis, properties and reactivity of η⁶-arene derivatives of Group 4 and 5 elements, showing, inter alia, the first example of a tetraarylborate anion behaving as a 12-electron donor to one metal atom and low-valent η⁶-arene compounds as useful reagents in the inorganic and coordination chemistry of the corresponding metal in nonaqueous systems.     

Density functional theory study of the mechanism of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction

Transition structures associated with the C-C bond-formation step of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction between acetone and isobutyraldehyde have been studies using density functional theory methods at the B3LYP/6-31G** computational level. A continuum model has been selected to represent solvent effects. For this step, which is the stereocontrolling and rate-determining step, four reactive channels corresponding to the syn and anti arrangement of the active methylene of the enamine relative to the carboxylic acid group of l-proline and the re and si attack modes to both faces of the aldehyde carbonyl group have been analyzed. The B3LYP/6-31G** energies are in good agreement with experiment, allowing us to explain the origin of the catalysis and stereoselectivity for these proline-catalyzed aldol reactions. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted: 18 July 2002 / Published online: 11 October 2002 Acknowledgements. This work was supported by research funds provided by the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura of the Spanish Government by DGICYT (project PB98–1429). All the calculations were performed on a Cray–Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 of the Servicio de Informática de la Universidad de Valencia. We are most indebted to this center for providing us with computer capabilities. Correspondence to: L. R. Domingo e-mail: domingo@utopia.uv.es     

Structural Studies of Transition Metal Compounds

A historical overview will be given on the structural studies on transition metal compounds and their interaction with other fields of coordination chemistry. About three decades have passed away since the structure and absolute configuration of tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) complex ion were determined. At present accumulation of the structural data for isomers has enabled us to understand structural principles of chelate complexes in considerable detail. The energy minimization calculations can predict the detailed geometries of the complexes. Differences in thermodynamic properties between different conformers are well reproduced. Aspherical distribution of 3d electrons in transition metal complexes was detected for the first time in crystals of [Co(NH3)₆][Co(CN)₆] in 1973. Such an accurate electron density study provides important information on the d electrons placed in a ligand field. The high-spin and low-spin states can be distinguished unequivocally. In spite of a very small valence/total electron ratio, the asphericity of 4d and 5d electrons in a ligand field can be detected. The crystal structures of a series of dimeric copper(II) carboxylate adducts of the general formula [Cu(RCOO)₂L]₂ have been determined or redetermined as accurately as possible. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility of these crystals indicated that the isolated pairs of Cu(II) ions interact strongly through exchange forces. Molecular orbital calculations revealed that the electron population in the carbon atom of the bridging OCO group plays an important role in determining the strength of the spin superexchange interaction. In the crystals of some cobaloxime complexes, racemization of chiral groups bonded to Co proceeds on X-ray exposure without degradation of crystallinity. Several intermediate stages could be determined by X-ray analysis. Various reaction pathways were recognized and the reaction rate could be correlated with the atomic arrangement in the crystal.     

2-硝基丙烯热解反应的理论研究

利用MO-AM1方法研究了2-硝基丙烯热解的反应途径。结果表明, 2-硝基丙烯可能首先热解产生一个四元环状中间体。该中间体依照分步过程继续分解时, 存在两种可能的途径, 其中先断N—O键的反应过程比先断C—C键的过程从能量上更为有利。反应过程中电荷无明显转移, 具有双自由基反应特点。     

钒、铬、锰磷桥络合物中31P NMR化学位移的研究

ISSIe山和W6flSChllh山子1960年首次用pdCI。和二苯基磷合成出黄色的二聚络合物，后被H。yieY＊确认为具有pRZ的桥式结构．此后一系列该类结构的化合物被合成并引起了广泛的兴趣．磷可以和两个甚至多个金属原子络合构成多核金属络合物，在催化反应中有重要应用．磷原子存在多种电子态，其3d空轨道也能参与成键．P乃1的NMR谱是研究含磷化合物立体结构的有力工具．P－31与其它核素之间的耦合常数以及P－31的化学位移对阐明化合物的立体构象以及电子结构具有重要作用．近年来，West饲用计算机神经网络技术预测P－：if的化学位移，但仅…     

Thermochemistry of adducts of some bivalent transition metal bromides with 4-chloroaniline

The compounds [MBr₂(p-clan)₂] (where M is Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II); p-clan = 4-chloroaniline) were synthesized and characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and electronic and IR spectroscopy. The enthalpies of solution of the adducts, metal(II) bromides and 4-chloroaniline in methanol, 1.2 M aqueous HCl or 25% (v/v) 1.2 M aqueous HCl in methanol were measures and by using thermochemical cycles, the following thermochemical parameters for the adducts have been determined: the standard enthalpies for the Lewis acid/base reactions (Δ_rH°), the standard enthalpies of formation (Δ_fH°), the standard enthalpies of decomposition (Δ_DH°), the lattice standard enthalpies (Δ_MH°) and the standard enthalpies of the Lewis acid/base reactions in the gaseous phase (Δ_rH°(g)). The mean bond dissociation enthalpies of the metal(II)-nitrogen coordinated bonds and the enthalpies of adduct formation in the gaseous phase have been estimated.     

Nickel Aqueous Speciation and Solubility at Ambient Conditions: A Thermodynamic Elegy

Summary.  This review reveals that, in contrast to the general opinion, the aqueous speciation of nickel is poorly known. Besides the fairly well established first hydrolysis constant, data are scarce and only poor estimates can be derived for higher Ni hydrolysis constants from a few solubility studies. The situation is even worse in the case of aqueous carbonate complexes. No reliable experimental study has been published so far and almost all numbers reported in thermodynamic databases are unacceptable estimates. In this review we scrutinise all these published estimates and propose expectation ranges of nickel carbonate complex stability through correlation with other known thermodynamic constants. Solubility constants for a few simple nickel solids are known or have been estimated from thermochemical data. However, none of these simple solids is of geochemical relevance at ambient conditions. Based on field evidence, classes of solids are identified which potentially govern nickel concentrations in ground and surface waters. Recent spectroscopic data indicate that magnesium clay minerals and layered double hydroxides are the most prominent candidates for nickel-bearing solids at ambient conditions. Corresponding author. E-mail: wolfgang.hummel@psi.ch Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Rolf Grauer Received January 14, 2003; accepted January 24, 2003 Published online May 15, 2003     

Theoretical study of the thermal interconversion mechanism between the norbornadiene and quadricyclane radical cations

Geometry optimizations at the UHF/6-31G^* and UMP2/6-31G^* levels of theory were performed to find the transition state in the interconversion between norbornadiene (N) and quadricyclane (Q) radical cations. Two transition structures, TS^+·₁ and TS^+·₂, were obtained which have C₁ and C₂ symmetry, respectively. Vibrational analysis at the UHF and UMP2 levels of theory and IRC calculation showed that TS^+·₁ is the true transition state connecting N^+· and Q^+·, while TS^+·₂ is a second order saddle point.     

GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION OF VINYL MONOMERS ONTO STARCH INITIATED BY TRANSITION METAL-THIOUREA REDOX SYSTEMS

In this paper, the capabilities of grafting acrylonitrile (AN) onto starch initiatedby Fe(III)-TU, V(V)-TU, Cr(VI)-TU, Mn(VII)-TU redox systems were compared in thepresence of sulfuric acid of different concentrations. It was shown that the grafting capabili-ty of Mn(VII)-TU is the highest in these initiating systems. Using Mn (VII-TU as initia-tor, the effects of various acids (HClO_4, H_2SO_4, HNO_3, HCl) on the graft copolymerizationof acrylonitrile onto starch were discussed, and the capabilities of graft copolymerizationof methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA) onto starch wereinvestigated. The experimental results show that the order of the influences of differentacids is HClO_4>H_2SO_4>HNO_3>HCl, and the order of grafting capabilities of differentmonomers grafted onto starch is MMA>AN>AM>AA. The structure and morphology ofgraft copolymers were studied with infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The size, shape and roughness of surface of the grafted starch granules are changed aftergrafting.