Dirk Grote

Matrix Isolation and EPR Spectroscopy of Septet 3,5-Difluoropyridyl-2,4,6-trinitrene

Septet 3,5-difluoropyridyl-2,4,6-trinitrene along with quintet 2-azido-3,5-difluoropyridyl-4,6-dinitrene, quintet 4-azido-3,5-difluoropyridyl-2,6-dinitrene, triplet 2,6-diazido-3,5-difluoropyridyl-4-nitrene, and triplet 2,4-diazido-3,5-difluoropyridyl-6-nitrene have been obtained by photolysis of 2,4,6-triazido-3,5-difluoropyridine in solid argon at 4 K. The electronic and magnetic properties of the matrix-isolated nitrenes were studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The fine-structure parameters of the nitrenes were determined with high accuracy from computer spectral simulations. All signals in the EPR spectra of the nitrenes randomly oriented in the solid phase were unambiguously assigned on the basis of eigenfield calculations of the Zeeman energy levels and angular dependencies of resonance fields from the direction of the applied magnetic field.

Matrix isolation, spectroscopic characterization, and photoisomerization of m-xylylene.

A new efficient synthesis of m-xylylene 1 is reported. The diradical 1 was trapped in argon matrices at 10 K and characterized by IR, UV-vis, and EPR spectroscopy. The syntheses reported before only allowed generation of 1 in organic glasses, and the spectroscopic identification was limited to fluorescence and EPR spectroscopy. Diradical 1 proved to be highly photolabile, and irradiation results in the formation of three isomeric hydrocarbons 7, 9, and 11 which could be identified by comparison of their IR spectra with the results of DFT calculations.

2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorophenylnitren-4-yl: electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic characterization of a quartet-ground-state nitreno radical.

2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorophenylnitren-4-yl (5) was synthesized in argon at 4 K via the photolysis of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-iodo-phenyl azide (6). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy allows us to observe triradical 5 in its quartet state with the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters |D/hc| = 0.285 and |E/hc| = 0.043 cm-1. The quartet ground state of 5 is in accordance with our previous infrared (IR) spectroscopic investigation, in which the high-spin quartet state, but no low-spin doublet state, of 5 was observed in solid argon at 4 K [Wenk, H. H.; Sander, W. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 2742-2745]. Because annealing of the matrix at temperatures of >10 K results in the rapid recombination of the highly reactive species 5 with I atoms produced during the photolysis of 6, the Curie-Weiss behavior could not be investigated. However, the absence of low-spin states in the IR investigations, as well as the results of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, strongly suggest that 5 has a robust quartet ground state that is best-described as an unprecedented sigma,sigma,pi-triradical. The ZFS of 5 has been successfully reproduced by DFT calculations, which furthermore provide qualitative insight into the origin of the observed EPR parameters.

Molecular Structure and Magnetic Parameters of Septet 2,4,6-Trinitrenotoluene

Septet 2,4,6-trinitrenotoluene is the major paramagnetic product formed during the photolysis of 2,4,6-triazidotoluene in cryogenic matrices. This trinitrene displays different electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra in solid argon and in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2MTHF) glass, corresponding to septet spin states with the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D(S) = -0.0938 cm(-1), E(S) = -0.0040 cm(-1) and D(S) = -0.0934 cm(-1), E(S) = -0.0015 cm(-1), respectively. Analysis of these parameters shows that the molecular and electronic structure of the septet trinitrene derived from the EPR spectrum in argon is in good agreement with the expectations from DFT calculations. The very small parameter E(S) in 2MTHF glass is explained by significant changes of the spin densities on the three nitrene units due to interactions of the nitrogen atom with surrounding 2MTHF molecules.

Photochemistry of Fluorinated 4-Iodophenylnitrenes: Matrix Isolation and Spectroscopic Characterization of Phenylnitrene-4-yls

The photochemistry of a series of fluorinated p-iodophenyl azides 2 has been investigated using matrix isolation IR and EPR spectroscopy. In all cases, the corresponding phenylnitrenes 1 were formed as primary photoproducts. Further irradiation of the nitrenes 1 resulted in the formation of azirines 3, ketenimines 4, and nitreno radicals 5. The yield of 5 depends on the number of ortho fluorine substituents: with two ortho fluorine atoms the highest yield is observed, whereas without fluorine atoms the yield is too low for IR spectroscopic detection. The interconversion between the isomers 1, 3, and 4 proved to be rather complex. If the fluorine atoms are distributed unsymmetrically, two isomers of azirines 3 and ketenimines 4 can be formed. The yields of these isomers depend critically on the irradiation conditions.

Photochemistry of Matrix Isolated (Trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl Azide, CF3SO2N3

The photochemistry of matrix isolated (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) azide, CF3SO2N3, has been studied at low temperatures. Upon ArF laser irradiation (λ = 193 nm), the azide eliminates N2 and furnishes triplet [(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]nitrene, CF3SO2N, which has been characterized by IR and EPR spectroscopy. Upon subsequent UV light irradiation (λ = 260-400 nm) the nitrene converts to CF3N═SO2 and CF3S(O)NO through a Curtius-type rearrangement. Further two new species CF2N═SO2F and FSNO were identified together with CF2NF, SO2, F2CO, CF3NO, and SO as side products. In addition, triplet nitrene CF3N was detected by its EPR and IR spectra. The complex stepwise photodecomposition of matrix isolated CF3SO2N3 is discussed in terms of the observed photolysis products and quantum chemical calculations.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the FCO2 radical isolated in noble gas matrices

The EPR spectra of the fluoroformyloxyl radical FCO(2) isolated in noble gas matrices at temperatures from 5 to 30 K have been investigated. This study provides principal g values and (19)F hyperfine coupling constants of FCO(2) measured in Ar matrices at 5 K, and yields isotropic values at 30 K. A detailed analysis of the coupling parameters obtained from the EPR and a concomitant high resolution spectroscopic MMW study supported by quantum chemical calculations rationalized the fine and hyperfine interactions of this simple fluorooxyl radical.

EPR and IR spectra of the FSO3 radical revisited: Strong vibronic interactions in the A22 electronic ground state

The previous controversy about the ground-state symmetry and contradictory vibrational analyses of FSO3 has been solved by a reinvestigation of its EPR and IR matrix spectra. The anisotropic EPR spectrum of FSO3 isolated in an argon matrix at 5 K is in agreement with an axial symmetry and an 2A2 electronic ground state. While the obtained hyperfine-coupling constants agree quite well to previous measurements in different environments, the g values may be affected by the large motion of the low-lying (162 cm(-1)) rocking mode of FSO3. For the first time measurements of the IR matrix spectra were extended to the far infrared region and to all 16/18 O isotopomers of FSO3. A new fundamental at 161.6 cm(-1) in Ar matrix and, for the nine strongest bands of FSO3, the isotopic 16/18 O pattern have been observed and analyzed. The four line pattern of the a1-type fundamental modes at 1052.7, 832.5, and 531.0 cm(-1) confirmed the C3v symmetry of FSO3 in the electronic ground state. The e-type fundamental modes at 931.6, 426.2, and 161.6 cm(-1) are unusually low in energy and in intensity due to vibronic interaction to the low-lying electronic excited 2E states. On the other hand, several combinations and overtones of e-type fundamentals are strongly enhanced due to vibronic interactions.

Photoreactions of Phenylborylene with Dinitrogen and Carbon Monoxide

Formal removal of two bonding partners from boranes, BR3, yields borylenes, RB, which have been inferred as reactive intermediates in a number of reactions. Phenylborylene (R = C6H5; 1) is accessible from phenyldiazidoborane by photochemical extrusion of dinitrogen under matrix isolation conditions. Concomitantly, the nitrene PhNBN is formed via phenyl rearrangement. Here we used a combination of UV/vis, IR, and ESR spectroscopy under cryogenic matrix isolation conditions to investigate the properties and reactivity of phenylborylene. We detected an absorption band of phenylborylene at 375 nm (S0 → S2) and tentatively assigned the S0 → S1 transition to a very weak band at 518 nm. We also show for the first time that an electrophilic borylene such as 1 can react with N2 reversibly and with CO irreversibly under photochemical conditions. The corresponding photoproducts PhBNN and PhBCO have triplet electronic ground states. Their small E values are in agreement with the linear arrangements Ph-B-N-N and Ph-B-C-O obtained by density functional theory computations. The D values decrease in the series PhNBN > PhBNN > PhBCO and approach the value for phenylcarbene (PhCH). Indeed, the boron center in PhBCO is isoelectronic with the carbene center in PhCH. The compounds are the first examples of boron analogues of diazoalkanes (R2CNN) and ketenes (R2CCO), and their formation may serve as a demonstration of the high reactivity of phenylborylene.

A TRIR, TREPR and Computational Study on the Reactivity and Structure of the 2,2,2-Trifluoroethoxycarbonyl Radical†

Abstract The 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxycarbonyl radical, 3b, has been generated by pulsed irradiation of 9-fluorenone oxime 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl oxalate 1b in carbon tetrachloride and acetonitrile solution. It was characterized by time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and infrared spectroscopy. The radical has a lifetime in the range of microseconds and can be detected within the rise time of our time-resolved equipment before undergoing recombination or reactions with the solvent. No decarbonylation or decarboxylation was observed. In the presence of oxygen, the radical is quenched to yield the 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxycarbonylperoxy radical 4b, which has again a lifetime in the range of several microseconds. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (TREPR) allowed for the detection of a 1 : 1 : 1 triplet of the fluorene-9-iminyl radical 7 at g = 2.0032 and a 1 : 3 : 3 : 1 quartet with additional hyperfine splitting (HFS) due to proton coupling at g = 2.001 for the trifluoroethoxycarbonyl radical 3b. Calculations indicate that alkoxycarbonyl radicals can exist in conformations that are s-trans or s-cis with respect to the R-O-C(O)·dihedral. A comparison of experimental TREPR spectra with simulations indicates that the s-trans conformer is observed in the case of the ethoxycarbonyl radical, 3a. In the case of the trifluorethoxycarbonyl radical, 3b, however, the additional proton HFS observed shows that it is the s-cis conformer that is formed. As calculations give evidence for a fairly high activation enthalpy for s-cis-s-trans interconversion of alkoxycarbonyl radicals, this discrepancy is likely due to differing conformational preferences of the precursor molecules.