Patrina Paraskevopoulou

A Versatile Tripodal Cu(I) Reagent for C–N Bond Construction via Nitrene-Transfer Chemistry: Catalytic Perspectives and Mechanistic Insights on C–H Aminations/Amidinations and Olefin Aziridinations

A Cu(I) catalyst (1), supported by a framework of strongly basic guanidinato moieties, mediates nitrene-transfer from PhI═NR sources to a wide variety of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C-H amination or amidination in the presence of nitriles) and olefins (aziridination). Product profiles are consistent with a stepwise rather than concerted C-N bond formation. Mechanistic investigations with the aid of Hammett plots, kinetic isotope effects, labeled stereochemical probes, and radical traps and clocks allow us to conclude that carboradical intermediates play a major role and are generated by hydrogen-atom abstraction from substrate C-H bonds or initial nitrene-addition to one of the olefinic carbons. Subsequent processes include solvent-caged radical recombination to afford the major amination and aziridination products but also one-electron oxidation of diffusively free carboradicals to generate amidination products due to carbocation participation. Analyses of metal- and ligand-centered events by variable temperature electrospray mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, coupled with computational studies, indicate that an active, but still elusive, copper-nitrene (S = 1) intermediate initially abstracts a hydrogen atom from, or adds nitrene to, C-H and C═C bonds, respectively, followed by a spin flip and radical rebound to afford intra- and intermolecular C-N containing products.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Iron Trisamidoamine Complexes That Undergo Both Metal- and Ligand-Centered Oxidative Transformations

Functional systems that combine redox-active metals and noninnocent ligands are no longer rare chemical oddities; they are instead emerging as significant components of catalytic and enzymatic reactions. The present work examines the synthetic and functional aspects of iron compounds ligated by a family of new trisamidoamine ligands of the type [(RNC6H4)3N]3- (L1). When R is the electron-rich 4-t-Bu-Ph moiety, the ligand can undergo oxidative rearrangement and store oxidizing equivalents under specific conditions. Starting ferrous complexes of the general formula [(L1)FeIIsolv]- (solv=CH3CN, dimethylformamide) can be easily oxidized (a) by dioxygen to afford the corresponding [(L1)FeIIIOH]- complexes, featuring several cases of terminal hydroxo units, and (b) by organochlorides (R-Cl) to provide [(L1)FeIIIsolv] congeners and coupled R-R products. Efforts to synthesize [(L1)FeIII-O-FeIII(L1)]2- by using [Cl3FeIII-O-FeIIICl3]2- indicate that intrinsic FeIIICl units can oxidatively rearrange the ligand to afford [(L1re)(Cl)FeII][Et4N]2, although the oxidizing equivalent is not retained. Compound [(L1re)(Cl)FeII][Et4N]2 can be further oxidized to [(L1re-2)(Cl)FeIII][Et4N] by CH2Cl2. Finally, oxidation of [(L1)FeIIIsolv] by FeCl3 affords [(L1reH)(Cl)FeII(micro-Cl)2FeII(Cl)(L1re-2H)], which features a similar ligand rearrangement that also gives rise to a diamagnetic, doubly oxidized moiety. These results underscore the complexity of chemical transformations available to systems in which both the metal and the ligand are redox-active entities.

Metalloradical complexes of manganese and chromium featuring an oxidatively rearranged ligand.

Redox events involving both metal and ligand sites are receiving increased attention since a number of biological processes direct redox equivalents toward functional residues. Metalloradical synthetic analogues remain scarce and require better definition of their mode of formation and subsequent operation. The trisamido-amine ligand [(RNC6H4)3N]3-, where R is the electron-rich 4-t-Bu Ph, is employed in this study to generate redox active residues in manganese and chromium complexes. Solutions of [(L1)Mn(II)-THF]- in THF are oxidized by dioxygen to afford [(L1re-1)Mn(III)-(O)2-Mn(III)(L1 re-1)]2-as the major product. The rare dinuclear manganese (III,III) core is stabilized by a rearranged ligand that has undergone an one-electron oxidative transformation, followed by retention of the oxidation equivalent as a pi radical in ano-diiminobenzosemiquinonate moiety. Magnetic studies indicate that the ligand-centered radical is stabilized by means of extended antiferromagnetic coupling between the S ) 1/2 radical and the adjacent S ) 2 Mn(III) site, as well as between the two Mn(III) centers via the dioxo bridge. Electrochemical and EPR data suggest that this system can store higher levels of oxidation potency. Entry to the corresponding Cr(III) chemistry is achieved by employing CrCl3 to access both[(L1)Cr(III)-THF] and [(L1re-1)Cr(III)-THF(Cl)], featuring the intact and the oxidatively rearranged ligands, respectively. The latter is generated by ligand-centered oxidation of the former compound. The rearranged ligand is perceived to be the product of an one-electron oxidation of the intact ligand to afford a metal-bound aminyl radical that subsequently mediates a radical 1,4-(N-to-N) aryl migration.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of Structurally and Electronically Diverse Fe(II) Complexes Featuring a Family of Triphenylamido-Amine Ligands

A family of triphenylamido-amine ligands of the general stoichiometry L(x)H(3) = [R-NH-(2-C(6)H(4))](3)N (R = 4-t-BuPh (L(1)H(3)), 3,5-t-Bu(2)Ph (L(2)H(3)), 3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph (L(3)H(3)), CO-t-Bu (L(4)H(3)), 3,5-Cl(2)Ph (L(5)H(3)), COPh (L(6)H(3)), CO-i-Pr (L(7)H(3)), COCF(3) (L(8)H(3)), and i-Pr (L(9)H(3))) has been synthesized and characterized, featuring a rigid triphenylamido-amine scaffold and an array of stereoelectronically diverse aryl, acyl, and alkyl substituents (R). These ligands are deprotonated by potassium hydride in THF or DMA and reacted with anhydrous FeCl(2) to afford a series of ferrous complexes, exhibiting stoichiometric variation and structural complexity. The prevalent [(L(x))Fe(II)-solv](-) structures (L(x) = L(1), L(2), L(3), L(5), solv = THF; L(x) = L(8), solv = DMA; L(x) = L(6), L(8), solv = MeCN) reveal a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, featuring ligand-derived [N(3,amido)N(amine)] coordination and solvent attachment trans to the N(amine) atom. Specifically for [(L(8))Fe(II)-DMA](-), a N(amido) residue is coordinated as the corresponding N(imino) moiety (Fe-N(Ar) horizontal lineC(CF(3))-O(-)). In contrast, compounds [(L(4))Fe(II)](-), [(L(6))(2)Fe(II)(2)](2-), [K(L(7))(2)Fe(II)(2)](2)(2-), and [K(L(9))Fe](2) are all solvent-free in their coordination sphere and exhibit four-coordinate geometries of significant diversity. In particular, [(L(4))Fe(II)](-) demonstrates coordination of one amidato residue via the O-atom end (Fe-O-C(t-Bu) horizontal lineN(Ar)). Furthermore, [(L(6))(2)Fe(II)(2)](2-) and [K(L(7))(2)Fe(II)(2)](2)(2-) are similar structures exhibiting bridging amidato residues (Fe-N(Ar)-C(R) horizontal lineO-Fe) in dimeric structural units. Finally, the structure of [K(L(9))Fe](2) is the only example featuring a minimal [N(3,amido)N(amine)] coordination sphere around each Fe(II) site. All compounds have been characterized by a variety of physicochemical techniques, including Mossbauer spectroscopy and electrochemistry, to reveal electronic attributes that are responsible for a range of Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox potentials exceeding 1.0 V.

Exploring the Reactivity of Na[W2(μ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]∙(THF)3 towards the Polymerization of Selected Cycloolefins

The bimetallic compound Na[W2(μ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]·(THF)3 (1, {W 3 W}6+, a′2e′4) is a highly efficient room-temperature initiator for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and some of its derivatives. In most cases, addition of phenylacetylene (PA) as co-initiator improves the catalytic activity and retains the high cis-stereoselectivity. On the other hand, 1 can polymerize cyclopentadiene (CPD), not via a metathetic, but rather, via a cationic mechanism. Here, we present a comparison of the reactivity of the two catalytic systems (1 and 1/PA) between themselves and with other systems reported in the literature, the characterization of the polymers formed and mechanistic aspects of the corresponding reactions.

Statistical Ring Opening Metathesis Copolymerization of Norbornene and Cyclopentene by Grubbs' 1st-Generation Catalyst

Statistical copolymers of norbornene (NBE) with cyclopentene (CP) were prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, employing the 1st-generation Grubbs’ catalyst, in the presence or absence of triphenylphosphine, PPh3. The reactivity ratios were estimated using the Finemann-Ross, inverted Finemann-Ross, and Kelen-Tüdos graphical methods, along with the computer program COPOINT, which evaluates the parameters of binary copolymerizations from comonomer/copolymer composition data by integrating a given copolymerization equation in its differential form. Structural parameters of the copolymers were obtained by calculating the dyad sequence fractions and the mean sequence length, which were derived using the monomer reactivity ratios. The kinetics of thermal decomposition of the copolymers along with the respective homopolymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis within the framework of the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger methodologies. Finally, the effect of triphenylphosphine on the kinetics of copolymerization, the reactivity ratios, and the kinetics of thermal decomposition were examined.

Isolation, Characterization, and Computational Studies of the Novel [Mo3(μ3-Br)2(μ-Br)3Br6]2― Cluster Anion

The novel trimolybdenum cluster [Mo(3)(mu(3)-Br)(2)(mu-Br)(3)Br(6)](2-) (1, {Mo(3)}(9+), 9 d-electrons) has been isolated from the reaction of [Mo(CO)(6)] with 1,2-C(2)H(4)Br(2) in refluxing PhCl. The compound has been characterized in solution by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and in the solid state by X-ray analysis (counter-cations: (n-Bu)(4)N(+) (1), Et(4)N(+), Et(3)BzN(+)), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), magnetic susceptibility measurements, and infrared spectroscopy. The least disordered (n-Bu)(4)N(+) salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, a = 20.077(2) A, b = 11.8638(11) A, c = 22.521(2) A, alpha = 90 deg, beta = 109.348(4) deg, gamma = 90 deg, V = 5061.3(9) A(3), Z = 4 and contains an isosceles triangular metal arrangement, which is capped by two bromine ligands. Each edge of the triangle is bridged by bromine ions. The structure is completed by six terminal bromine ligands. According to the magnetic measurements and the EPR spectrum the trimetallic core possesses one unpaired electron. Electrochemical data show that oxidation by one electron of 1 is reversible, thus proceeding with retention of the trimetallic core, while the reduction is irreversible. The effective magnetic moment of 1 (mu(eff), 1.55 mu(B), r.t.) is lower than the spin-only value (1.73 mu(B)) for S = 1/2 systems, most likely because of high spin-orbit coupling of Mo(III) and/or magnetic coupling throughout the lattice. The ground electronic state of 1 was studied using density functional theory techniques under the broken symmetry formalism. The ground state is predicted to exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the three molybdenum atoms of the core. Moreover, our calculated data predict two broken symmetry states that differ only by 0.4 kcal/mol (121 cm(-1)). The antiferromagnetic character is delocalized over three magnetic orbitals populated by three electrons. The assignment of the infrared spectra is also provided.

Copolymerization of Norbornene and Norbornadiene Using a cis-Selective Bimetallic W-Based Catalytic System

The bimetallic cluster Na[W2(μ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]·(THF)3 ({W2}, {W 3 W}6+, a′2e′4), which features a triple metal-metal bond, is a highly efficient room-temperature initiator for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and norbornadiene (NBD), providing high-cis polymers. In this work, {W2} was used for the copolymerization of the aforementioned monomers, yielding statistical poly(norbornene)/poly(norbornadiene) PNBE/PNBD copolymers of high molecular weight and high-cis content. The composition of the polymer chain was estimated by 13C CPMAS NMR data and it was found that the ratio of PNBE/PNBD segments in the polymer chain was relative to the monomer molar ratio in the reaction mixture. The thermal properties of all copolymers were similar, resembled the properties of PNBD homopolymer and indicated a high degree of cross-linking. The morphology of all materials in this study was smooth and non-porous; copolymers with higher PNBE content featured a corrugated morphology. Glass transition temperatures were lower for the copolymers than for the homopolymers, providing a strong indication that those materials featured a branched-shaped structure. This conclusion was further supported by viscosity measurements of copolymers solutions in THF. The molecular structure of those materials can be controlled, potentially leading to well-defined star polymers via the “core-first” synthesis method. Therefore, {W2} is not only a cost-efficient, practical, highly active, and cis-stereoselective ROMP-initiator, but it can also be used for the synthesis of more complex macromolecular structures.

Some Unsymmetrical Metal 1,2-Dithiolenes Based on Palladium, Platinum and Gold

The unsymmetrical complexes Pd(dpedt)(dddt), Pt(dpedt)(dddt), Pd(dpedt)(dmit), and Au(dpedt)- (dddt) (where dpedt is diphenyl-ethylenedithiolate, dddt is 5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithin-2,3-dithiolate and dmit is 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate) were prepared and characterized. The study of their chemical and electrochemical behavior showed that they are stable in air and could be candidate materials for fabrication of field-effect transistors and other devices.

Poly(urethane-norbornene) Aerogels via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Dendritic Urethane-Norbornene Monomers: Structure-Property Relationships as a Function of an Aliphatic Versus an Aromatic Core and the Number of Peripheral Norbornene Moieties

We report the synthesis and characterization of synthetic polymer aerogels based on dendritic-type urethane-norbornene monomers. The core of those monomers is based either on an aromatic/rigid (TIPM/Desmodur RE), or an aliphatic/flexible (Desmodur N3300) triisocyanate. The terminal norbornene groups (three at the tip of each of the three branches) were polymerized via ROMP using the inexpensive 1st generation Grubbs catalyst. The polymerization/gelation conditions were optimized by varying the amount of the catalyst. The resulting wet-gels were dried either from pentane under ambient pressure at 50 °C, or from t-butanol via freeze-drying, or by using supercritical fluid (SCF) CO2. Monomers were characterized with high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 1H- and solid-state 13C-NMR. Aerogels were characterized with ATR-FTIR and solid-state 13C-NMR. The porous network was probed with N2-sorption and SEM. The thermal stability of monomers and aerogels was studied with TGA, which also provides evidence for the number of norbornene groups that reacted via ROMP. At low densities (<0.1 g cm−3) all aerogels were highly porous (porosity > 90%), mostly macroporous materials; aerogels based on the aliphatic/flexible core were fragile, whereas aerogels containing the aromatic/rigid core were plastic, and at even lower densities (0.03 g cm−3) foamy. At higher densities (0.2–0.7 g cm−3) all materials were stiff, strong, and hard. At low monomer concentrations all aerogels consisted of discrete primary particles that formed spherical secondary aggregates. At higher monomer concentrations the structure consisted of fused particles with the size of the previous secondary aggregates, due to the low solubility of the developing polymer, which phase-separated and formed a primary particle network. Same-size fused aggregates were observed for both aliphatic and aromatic triisocyanate-derived aerogels, leading to the conclusion that it is not the aliphatic or aromatic core that determines phase separation, but rather the solubility of the polymeric backbone (polynorbornene) that is in both cases the same. The material properties were compared to those of analogous aerogels bearing only one norbornene moiety at the tip of each branch deriving from the same cores.