Alberto Ramos

Activation of H-H and H-O bonds at phosphorus with diiron complexes bearing pyramidal phosphinidene ligands.

The complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PMes*)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)] (Mes* = 2,4,6-C(6)H(2)(t)Bu(3)), which in the solid state displays a pyramidal phosphinidene bridge, reacted at room temperature with H(2) (ca. 4 atm) to give the known phosphine complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(PH(2)Mes*)] as the major product, along with small amounts of other byproducts arising from the thermal degradation of the starting material, such as the phosphindole complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO){PH(CH(2)CMe(2))C(6)H(2)(t)Bu(2)}], the dimer [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)], and free phosphine PH(2)Mes*. During the course of the reaction, trace amounts of the mononuclear phosphide complex [FeCp(CO)(2)(PHMes*)] were also detected, a compound later found to be the major product in the carbonylation of the parent phosphinidene complex, with this reaction also yielding the dimer [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] and the known diphosphene Mes*P═PMes*. The outcome of the carbonylation reactions of the title complex could be rationalized by assuming the formation of an unstable tetracarbonyl intermediate [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PMes*)(CO)(4)] (undetected) that would undergo a fast homolytic cleavage of a Fe-P bond, this being followed by subsequent evolution of the radical species so generated through either dimerization or reaction with trace amounts of water present in the reaction media. A more rational synthetic procedure for the phosphide complex was accomplished through deprotonation of the phosphine compound [FeCp(CO)(2)(PH(2)Mes*)](BF(4)) with Na(OH), the latter in turn being prepared via oxidation of [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] with [FeCp(2)](BF(4)) in the presence of PH(2)Mes*. To account for the hydrogenation of the parent phosphinidene complex it was assumed that, in solution, small amounts of an isomer displaying a terminal phosphinidene ligand would coexist with the more stable bridged form, a proposal supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of both isomers, with the latter also revealing that the frontier orbitals of the terminal isomer (only 5.7 kJ mol(-1) above of the bridged isomer, in toluene solution) have the right shapes to interact with the H(2) molecule. In contrast to the above behavior, the cyclohexylphosphinidene complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)] failed to react with H(2) under conditions comparable to those of its PMes* analogue. Instead, it slowly reacted with HOR (R = H, Et) to give the corresponding phosphinous acid (or ethyl phosphinite) complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO){PH(OR)Mes*}], a behavior not observed for the PMes* complex. The presence of BEt(3) increased significantly the rate of the above reaction, thus pointing to a pathway initiated with deprotonation of an O-H bond of the reagent by the basic P center of the phosphinidene complex, this being followed by the nucleophilic attack of the OR(-) anion at the P site of the transient cationic phosphide thus formed. The solid-state structure of the cis isomer of the ethanol derivative was determined through a single crystal X-ray diffraction study (Fe-Fe = 2.5112(8) Å, Fe-P = 2.149(1) Å).

Mild P4 activation to give an anionic diphosphorus complex with a dual binding ability at a single P site.

The anion [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy(2))(μ-CO)(2)](-) (1; Li(+) salt) reacts at 290 K with P(4) to give the diphosphorus-bridged complex [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2))](-) (2). The latter reacts with MeI and ClSnPh(3) through a single P atom to give respectively diphosphenyl [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2)Me)] (3) and stannyl [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2){μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2)(SnPh(3))}] (4) derivatives, with the P-P-Sn angle in 4 being unexpectedly acute [80.3(1)°]. According to density functional theory calculations, this novel nucleophilic behavior of 1 is derived from its anionic nature, thus enabling the P(2) ligand to act in a π-donor-like fashion.

Reactivity of the anionic diphosphorus complex [Mo2Cp2(μ-PCy2)(CO)2(μ-κ2:κ2-P2)]- toward ER3X electrophiles (E = C to Pb): insights into the multisite donor ability and dynamics of the P2 ligand.

The Li(+) salt of the unsaturated anion [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy(2))(μ-CO)(2)](-) reacted with P(4) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature to give the title complex. This fluxional anion reacted with MeI and ClCH(2)Ph to give the diphosphenyl complexes [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2)CH(2)R)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] (R = H, Ph), with the incoming electrophile being attached at the basal P atom of the Mo(2)P(2) tetrahedron via the lone electron pair (P-P-CH(3) = 122.8(1)(o)). In contrast, reactions with ClER(3) (ER(3) = GePh(3), SnPh(3), PbMe(3), PbPh(3)) gave neutral complexes [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2)ER(3))(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] having the incoming electrophile attached at the basal P atom but defining an acute P-P-E angle close to 90° with elongated P-P lengths of ca. 2.20 Å. These complexes undergo an easy fluxional process involving an exchange of the ER(3) group between the P atoms that could be properly modeled through DFT calculations, and some of them displayed minor isomers in solution. Their structure could be rationalized as derived from the interaction of the electrophile with high-energy orbitals of the anion having both σ(Mo-P) and π(P-P) bonding character. Reaction with BrSiMe(3) gave instead the agostic phosphenyl complex [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(1),η(2)-HP(2))(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)], formally derived from the attachment of a proton to a basal Mo-P edge of the anion (computed length 2.810 Å) and displaying an unusually low P-H coupling of 4 Hz. A similar structure, with the agostic H atom replaced with SnH(3), was found to be a satisfactory model for the minor isomer of the tin compound and represents a third and unprecedented coordination mode of the diphosphorus ligand. The agostic complex undergoes a fluxional process involving the intermediacy of the nonagostic isomer [Mo(2)Cp(2)(μ-κ(2):κ(2)-P(2)H)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)], which was computed to display a geometry comparable to the major isomers of the ER(3) compounds (P-P = 2.183 Å; P-P-H = 81.7°).

Synthesis and decarbonylation reactions of the triiron phosphinidene complex [Fe3Cp3(μ-H)(μ3-PPh)(CO)4]: easy cleavage and formation of P-H and Fe-Fe bonds.

The binuclear phosphine complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(PH(2)Ph)] (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)) reacted with the acetonitrile adduct [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(NCMe)] in dichloromethane at 293 K to give the trinuclear hydride-phosphinidene derivative [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(CO)(4)] as a mixture of cis,anti and trans isomers (Fe-Fe = 2.7217(6) Å for the cis,anti isomer). In contrast, photochemical treatment of the phosphine complex with [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] gave the phosphide-bridged complex trans-[Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-PHPh)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(3)] as the major product, along with small amounts of the binuclear hydride-phosphide complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-H)(μ-PHPh)(CO)(2)] (cis and trans isomers), which are more selectively prepared from [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] and PH(2)Ph at 388 K. The photochemical decarbonylation of either of the mentioned triiron compounds led reversibly to three different products depending on the reaction conditions: (a) the 48-electron phosphinidene cluster [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(μ-CO)(2)] (Fe-Fe = 2.592(2)-2.718(2) Å); (b) the 50-electron complex [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)], also having carbonyl- and hydride-bridged metal-metal bonds (Fe-Fe = 2.6177(3) and 2.7611(4) Å, respectively); and (c) the 48-electron phosphide cluster [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-PHPh)(μ(3)-CO)(μ-CO)(2)], an isomer of the latter phosphinidene complex now having three intermetallic bonds (Fe-Fe = 2.5332(8)-2.6158(8) Å).

The region-dependent dynamic properties of porcine temporomandibular joint disc under unconfined compression.

In this study, the dynamic compressive properties in five different regions of the porcine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc are investigated over a wide range of loading frequencies. The aim was, thus far, to evaluate the regional difference and the frequency-related effect of the applied load on these properties. Eleven porcine TMJ discs were used; each disc was divided into 5 regions, anterior, central, posterior, lateral and medial. Sinusoidal compressive strain was applied with an amplitude of 1.0% and a frequency range between 0.01 and 10Hz. The dynamic storage and loss moduli increase with frequency, the highest values being attained at the posterior region, followed by the central and anterior regions. Loss tangent, tanδ, ranged from 0.20 to 0.35, which means that the disc is primarily elastic in nature and has a small but not negligible viscosity. The present results suggest that the dynamic viscoelastic compressive modulus is region-specific and depends on the loading frequency, thus having important implications for the transmission of load to the TMJ.

Symmetrization in a phosphinidene-bridged complex to give a diphosphanediyl derivative with metal-centered reactivity.

The phosphinidene complex [Mo(2)Cp(μ-κ(1):κ(1),η(5)-PC(5)H(4))(CO)(2)(η(6)-HMes*)] reacts with CO to give the diphosphanediyl derivative [Mo(2){μ-κ(1),η(5):κ(1),η(5)-(C(5)H(4))PP(C(5)H(4))}(η(6)-HMes*)(2)]. The latter compound features unreactive lone electron pairs at phosphorus, which instead contribute to the electronic communication between metal centers via a weak π(PP)-bonding interaction. As a result, this complex displays metal-centered acid-base and redox behavior.

Selective Three-Component Coupling for CO2 Chemical Fixation to Boron Guanidinato Compounds

A selective three-component coupling was employed to fix carbon dioxide to boron guanidinato compounds. The one-pot reaction of carbon dioxide, carbodiimides, and borylamines (ArNH)BC8H14 afforded the corresponding 1,2-adducts {R(H)N}C{N(Ar)}(NR)(CO2)BC8H14. Alternatively, the reaction with p-MeOC6H4NC or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC gave the corresponding isocyanide 1,1-adducts { i-PrHN}C{N(p-Me-C6H4)}(N i-Pr){CNAr}BC8H14. The molecular structures of products (2,6- i-Pr2C6H3NH)BC8H14 7, { i-Pr(H)N}C{N(p-MeC6H4)}(N i-Pr)(CO2)BC8H14 9, {Cy(H)N}C{N( p-MeC6H4)}(Cy)(CO2)BC8H14 13, and { i-PrHN}C{N( p-MeC6H4)}(N i-Pr){CNR″}BC8H14 (R″ = p-MeOC6H4, 2,6-Me2C6H3) 14 and 15 were established by X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory calculations at the M05-2X level of theory revealed that CO2 fixation and formation of the corresponding adduct is exothermic and proceeds via a nonchelate boron guanidinato intermediate.

Analysis of Compressive Properties of Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Disc

Since the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc material exhibits a non-homogenous and viscoelastic structure, the compressive properties in five different regions of eleven porcine TMJ discs were investigated over a wide range of loading frequencies. The results obtained suggest that the dynamic viscoelastic compressive modulus is region-specific and depends on the loading frequency, thus having important implications for the transmission of load in the TMJ. The dynamic storage and loss moduli increase with frequency, the highest values being attained at the posterior region, followed by the central and anterior regions. Loss tangent, tan δ, ranged from 0.20 to 0.35, which means that the disc is primarily elastic in nature and has a small but not negligible viscosity.