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At least 379 records · Page 21

A New Approach to Non-Coordinating Anions: Lewis Acid Enhancement of Porphyrin Metal Centers in a Zwitterionic Metal$-$Organic Framework

Here, we describe a new strategy to generate non-coordinating anions using zwitterionic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). By assembly of anionic inorganic secondary building blocks (SBUs) ([In(CO 2 ) 4 ] $-$ ) with cationic metalloporphyrin-based organic linkers, we prepared zwitterionic MOFs in which the complete internal charge separation effectively prevents the potential binding of the counteranion to the cationic metal center. We demonstrate the enhanced Lewis acidity of Mn III - and Fe III -porphyrins in the zwitterionic MOFs in three representative electrocyclization reactions: [2 + 1] cycloisomerization of enynes, [3 + 2] cycloaddition of aziridines and alkenes, and [4 + 2] hetero-Diels–Alder cycloaddition of aldehydes with dienes. Lastly, this work paves a new way to design functional MOFs for tunable chemical catalysis.

Johnson, Jacob A.↗

Structure-Based Mechanism for Oxidative Decarboxylation Reactions Mediated by Amino Acids and Heme Propionates in Coproheme Decarboxylase (HemQ)

Coproheme decarboxylase catalyzes two sequential oxidative decarboxylations with H 2 O 2 as the oxidant, coproheme III as substrate and cofactor, and heme b as the product. Each reaction breaks a C-C bond and results in net loss of hydride, via steps that are not clear. Solution and solid-state structural characterization of the protein in complex with a substrate analog revealed a highly unconventional H 2 O 2 -activating distal environment with the reactive propionic acids (2 and 4) on the opposite side of the porphyrin plane. This suggested that, in contrast to direct C-H bond cleavage catalyzed by a high-valent iron intermediate, the coproheme oxidations must occur through mediating amino acid residues. A tyrosine that hydrogen bonds to propionate 2 in a position analogous to the substrate in ascorbate peroxidase is essential for both decarboxylations, while a lysine that salt bridges to propionate 4 is required solely for the second. A mechanism is proposed in which propionate 2 relays an oxidizing equivalent from a coproheme compound I intermediate to the reactive deprotonated tyrosine, forming Tyr • . This residue then abstracts a net hydrogen atom (H • ) from propionate 2, followed by migration of the unpaired propionyl electron to the coproheme iron to yield the ferric harderoheme and CO 2 products. A similar pathway is proposed for decarboxylation of propionate 4, but with a lysine residue as an essential proton shuttle. The proposed reaction suggests an extended relay of heme-mediated e - /H + transfers and a novel route for the conversion of carboxylic acids to alkenes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Three-State Electrochiroptical Switches Derived from Chiral Stable Carbenes

Chiral redox switches have been used to develop stimuli-responsive materials and organic electronics wherein small molecule chirality produces new functionality. Despite the widespread use of stable carbenes in redox-active materials and asymmetric synthesis, their integration into chiral redox switches remains largely unexplored. Herein, we show that chiral stable carbenes can be used to construct helically chiral overcrowded alkenes which function as three-state electrochiroptical switches. Redox-driven (de)aromatization triggers the reversible exchange of helical and axial chirality via a helically chiral π-radical cation. Due to dramatic changes in both electronic and geometric structure, including the inversion of helical chirality, each state exhibits distinct chiroptical properties. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate multiple cycles of electrochemical ON–OFF switching and sign inversion of the electronic circular dichroism response. Overall, this work establishes chiral stable carbenes as promising building blocks for chiral and redox-switchable materials.

Chirality↗

Catalytic Synthesis of “Super” Linear Alkenyl Arenes Using an Easily Prepared Rh(I) Catalyst

Linear alkyl benzenes (LAB) are global chemicals that are produced by acid-catalyzed reactions that involve the formation of carbocationic intermediates. One outcome of the acid-based catalysis is that 1-phenylalkanes cannot be produced. Furthermore, it is reported that [Rh(μ-OAc)(η 2 -C 2 H 4 ) 2 ] 2 catalyzes production of 1-phenyl substituted alkene products via oxidative arene vinylation. Since C=C bonds can be used for many chemical transformations, the formation of unsaturated products provides a potential advantage over current processes that produce saturated alkyl arenes. Conditions that provide up to a 10:1 linear:branched ratio have been achieved, and catalytic turnovers >1470 have been demonstrated. In addition, electron-deficient and electron-rich substituted benzenes are successfully alkylated. The Rh catalysis offers ortho : meta : para selectivity that is opposite to traditional acid-based catalysis

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Direct Neutron Spectroscopy Observation of Cerium Hydride Species on a Cerium Oxide Catalyst

Ceria has recently shown intriguing hydrogenation reactivity in catalyzing alkyne selectively to alkenes. However, the mechanism of the hydrogenation reaction, especially the activation of H 2 , remains experimentally elusive. In this paper, we report the first direct spectroscopy evidence for the presence of both surface and bulk Ce–H species upon H 2 dissociation over ceria via in situ inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy. Combined with in situ ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, IR, and Raman spectroscopic studies, the results together point to a heterolytic dissociation mechanism of H 2 over ceria, leading to either homolytic products (surface OHs) on a close-to-stoichiometric ceria surface or heterolytic products (Ce–H and OH) with the presence of induced oxygen vacancies in ceria. Finally, the finding of this work has significant implications for understanding catalysis by ceria in both hydrogenation and redox reactions where hydrogen is involved.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer to a Molybdenum Ethylene Complex Yields a β-Agostic Ethyl: Structure, Dynamics and Mechanism

In this paper, the interconversion of molybdenum ethylene and ethyl complexes by proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is described, an unusual transformation in organometallic chemistry. The cationic molybdenum ethylene complex [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(C 2 H 4 )][BArF 24 ] ([1-C 2 H 4 ] + ; Ph Tpy = 4'-Ph-2,2',6',2"-terpyridine, ArF 24 = [C 6 H 3 -3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 ] 4 ) was synthesized, structurally characterized, and its electronic structure established by a combination of spectroscopic and computational methods. The overall electronic structure is best described as a molybdenum(III) complex with a metallacyclopropane and a redox neutral terpyridine ligand. Addition of the nonclassical ammine complex [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(NH 3 )][BArF 24 ] ([1-NH 3 ] + ) to [1-C 2 H 4 ] + resulted in a net C–H bond-forming PCET reaction to yield the molybdenum ethyl [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(CH 2 CH 3 )][BArF 24 ] ([1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + ) and amido [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(NH 2 )][BArF 24 ] ([1-NH 2 ] + ) compounds. The reaction was reversed by addition of 2,4,6-tritert-butylphenoxyl radical to [1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + . The solid-state structure of [1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + established a β-agostic ethyl ligand that is maintained in solution as judged by variable temperature 1 H and 13 C NMR experiments. A combination of variable-temperature NMR experiments and isotopic labeling studies were used to probe the dynamics of [1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + and established restricted β-agostic -CH 3 rotation at low temperature (ΔG ‡ = 9.8 kcal mol –1 at -86 °C) as well as ethyl isomerization by β-hydride elimination-olefin rotation-reinsertion (ΔH ‡ = 19.3 ± 0.6 kcal mol –1 ; ΔS ‡ = 3.4 ± 1.7 cal mol –1 K –1 ). The β-(C–H) bond-dissociation free energy (BDFE) in [1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + was determined experimentally as 57 kcal mol –1 (THF) supported by a DFT-computed value of 52 kcal/mol –1 (gas phase). Comparison of pK a and electrochemical data for the complexes [1-C 2 H 4 ] + and [1-NH 3 ] + in combination with a deuterium kinetic isotope effect (k H /k D ) of 3.5(2) at 23 °C support a PCET process involving initial electron transfer followed by protonation leading to the formation of [1-CH 2 CH 3 ] + and [1-NH 2 ] + or a concerted pathway. Lastly, the data presented herein provides a structural, thermochemical and mechanistic foundation for understanding the PCET reactivity of organometallic complexes with alkene and alkyl ligands.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ethanol Conversion on Cyclic (MO3)3 (M = Mo, W) Clusters

Oxides of molybdenum and tungsten are an important class of catalytic materials with applications ranging from isomerization of alkanes and alkenes, partial oxidation of alcohols, selective reduction of nitric oxide and metathesis of alkeness.[1-10] While many studies have focused on the structure - function relationships, the nature of high catalytic activity is still being extensively investigated. There is a general agreement that the activity of supported MOx (M = W, Mo) catalysts is correlated with the presence of acidic sites, where the catalytic activity is strongly affected by the type of oxide support, delocalization of electron density, structures of tungsten oxide domains and presence of protons

coupled cluster CCSD(T)↗

Conversion of 1,3-Propylene Glycol on Rutile TiO2(110)

The adsorption of 1,3-propylene glycol (1,3-PG) on partially reduced TiO2(110) and its conversion to products have been studied by a combination of molecular beam dosing and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). When the Ti surface sites are saturated by 1,3-PG, ~80% of the molecules undergo further reactions to yield products that are liberated during the TPD ramp. In contrast to ethylene glycol (EG) and 1,2- propylene glycol (1,2-PG) that yield only alkenes and water at very low coverages (< 0.05 ML), two additional products, HCHO and C2H4, along with propylene (CH3CHCH2) and water are observed for 1,3-PG. Identical TPD line shapes and desorption yields for HCHO and C2H4 suggest that these products result from C-C bond cleavage and are coupled. At higher 1,3-PG coverages (> 0.1 ML), propanal (CH3CH2CHO) and two additional products, 1-propanol (CH3CH2CH2OH) and acrolein (CH2CHCHO), are observed. The desorption of 1-propanol is found to be coupled with the desorption of acrolein, suggesting that these products are formed by the disproportionation of two 1,3-PG molecules. The coverage dependent TPD results further show that propylene formation dominates at low coverages (< 0.3 ML), while the decomposition and disproportionation channels increase rapidly at higher coverages and reach yields comparable to that of propylene at the 1,3-PG saturation coverage of 0.5 ML. The observed surface chemistry clearly shows how the molecular structure of glycols influences their reaction pathways on oxide surfaces.

biomass↗

Site-Specific Imaging of Elemental Steps in Dehydration of Diols on TiO 2 (110)

The conversion of diols on partially reduced TiO 2 (110) at low coverage was studied using variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, temperature programmed desorption and density functional theory calculations. We find, that below ~230 K, ethane-1,2-diol and propane-1,3-diol molecules adsorb predominantly on five-fold coordinated Ti5c atoms. The dynamic equilibrium between molecularly bound and dissociated species resulting from O-H bond scission and reformation is observed. As the diols start to diffuse on the Ti5c rows above ~230 K, they dissociate irreversibly upon encountering bridging oxygen (O b ) vacancy (VO’s) defects. Two dissociation pathways, one via O-H and the other via C-O bond scission leading to identical surface intermediates, hydroxyalkoxy, O b -(CH 2 )n-OH (n = 2, 3) and bridging hydroxyl, HO b , are seen. For O-H bond scission, the O b -(CH 2 )n-OH is found on the position of the original VO, while for C-O scission it is found on the adjacent Ob site. Theoretical calculations suggest that the observed mixture of C-O/O-H bond breaking processes are a result of the steric factors enforced upon the diols by the second OH group that is bound to a Ti5c site. At room temperature, rich dissociation/reformation dynamics of the second, Ti5c-bound O-H leads to the formation of dioxo, Ob-(CH 2 )n-OTi, species. Above ~400 K, both O b -(CH 2 )n-OH and Ob-(CH 2 )n-OTi species convert into a new intermediate, that is centered on Ob row. Combined experimental and theoretical evidence shows that this intermediate is most likely a new dioxo, O b -(CH 2 ) 2 -Ob, species. Further annealing leads to sequential C-Ob bond cleavage and alkene desorption above ~ 500 K. Simulations find that the sequential C-O bond breaking process follows a homolytic diradical pathway with the first C-O bond breaking event accompanied by a non-adiabatic electron transfer within the TiO 2 (110) substrate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Unimolecular dissociation dynamics of vibrationally activated CH 3 CHOO Criegee intermediates to OH radical products

The hydroxyl radical is a vital atmospheric oxidant, and a significant source of its production occurs through alkene ozonolysis. This takes place via a cycloaddition reaction and subsequent fragmentation to form an energized carbonyl oxide (for example, CH 3 CHOO), known as a Criegee intermediate, which can then either react with another atmospheric species or decay and, in doing so, produce the hydroxyl radical. In this work, we examine the dissociation dynamics of a prototypical Criegee intermediate by characterizing the translational and internal energy distributions of the OH radical products, which reflect critical configurations along the reaction pathway. Experimentally, the kinetic energy release to OH products is ascertained through velocity map imaging. Theoretically, quasi-classical trajectories are performed on a new full-dimensional, ab initio potential energy surface. Both experiment and theory show that most of the available energy flows into internal excitation of the vinoxy products. The isotropic angular distribution of OH fragments indicates that dissociation occurs in ≥2 ps, in agreement with theory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Chemoselective single-site Earth-abundant metal catalysts at metal–organic framework nodes

Earth-abundant metal catalysts are critically needed for sustainable chemical synthesis. Here we report a simple, cheap and effective strategy of producing novel earth-abundant metal catalysts at metal–organic framework (MOF) nodes for broad-scope organic transformations. The straightforward metalation of MOF secondary building units (SBUs) with cobalt and iron salts affords highly active and reusable single-site solid catalysts for a range of organic reactions, including chemoselective borylation, silylation and amination of benzylic C–H bonds, as well as hydrogenation and hydroboration of alkenes and ketones. Our structural, spectroscopic and kinetic studies suggest that chemoselective organic transformations occur on site-isolated, electron-deficient and coordinatively unsaturated metal centres at the SBUs via σ-bond metathesis pathways and as a result of the steric environment around the catalytic site. MOFs thus provide a novel platform for the development of highly active and affordable base metal catalysts for the sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Infrared identification of the Criegee intermediates syn - and anti -CH 3 CHOO, and their distinct conformation-dependent reactivity

The Criegee intermediates are carbonyl oxides that play critical roles in ozonolysis of alkenes in the atmosphere. So far, the mid-infrared spectrum of only the simplest Criegee intermediate CH 2 OO has been reported. Methyl substitution of CH 2 OO produces two conformers of CH 3 CHOO and consequently complicates the infrared spectrum. Here we report the transient infrared spectrum of syn - and anti -CH 3 CHOO, produced from CH 3 CHI + O 2 in a flow reactor, using a step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer. Guided and supported by high-level full-dimensional quantum calculations, rotational contours of the four observed bands are simulated successfully and provide definitive identification of both conformers. Furthermore, anti -CH 3 CHOO shows a reactivity greater than syn -CH 3 CHOO towards NO/NO 2 ; at the later period of reaction, the spectrum can be simulated with only syn -CH 3 CHOO. Without NO/NO 2 , anti -CH 3 CHOO also decays much faster than syn -CH 3 CHOO. The direct infrared detection of syn - and anti -CH 3 CHOO should prove useful for field measurements and laboratory investigations of the Criegee mechanism.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Flavin-dependent halogenases catalyze enantioselective olefin halocyclization

Abstract Halocyclization of alkenes is a powerful bond-forming tool in synthetic organic chemistry and a key step in natural product biosynthesis, but catalyzing halocyclization with high enantioselectivity remains a challenging task. Identifying suitable enzymes that catalyze enantioselective halocyclization of simple olefins would therefore have significant synthetic value. Flavin-dependent halogenases (FDHs) catalyze halogenation of arene and enol(ate) substrates. Herein, we reveal that FDHs engineered to catalyze site-selective aromatic halogenation also catalyze non-native bromolactonization of olefins with high enantioselectivity and near-native catalytic proficiency. Highly selective halocyclization is achieved by characterizing and mitigating the release of HOBr from the FDH active site using a combination of reaction optimization and protein engineering. The structural origins of improvements imparted by mutations responsible for the emergence of halocyclase activity are discussed. This expansion of FDH catalytic activity presages the development of a wide range of biocatalytic halogenation reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Tuning hydrogenation chemistry of Pd-based heterogeneous catalysts by introducing homogeneous-like ligands

Abstract Noble metals have been extensively employed in a variety of hydrotreating catalyst systems for their featured functionality of hydrogen activation but may also bring side reactions such as undesired deep hydrogenation. It is crucial to develop a viable approach to selectively inhibit side reactions while preserving beneficial functionalities. Herein, we present modifying Pd with alkenyl-type ligands that forms homogeneous-like Pd-alkene metallacycle structure on the heterogeneous Pd catalyst to achieve the selective hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation. Particularly, a doped alkenyl-type carbon ligand on Pd-Fe catalyst is demonstrated to donate electrons to Pd, creating an electron-rich environment that elongates the distance and weakens the electronic interaction between Pd and unsaturated C of the reactants/products to control the hydrogenation chemistry. Moreover, high H 2 activation capability is maintained over Pd and the activated H is transferred to Fe to facilitate C-O bond cleavage or directly participate in the reaction on Pd. The modified Pd-Fe catalyst displays comparable C-O bond cleavage rate but much higher selectivity (>90%) than the bare Pd-Fe (<50%) in hydrotreating of diphenyl ether (DPE, modelling the strongest C-O linkage in lignin) and enhanced ethene selectivity (>90%) in acetylene hydrogenation. This work sheds light on the controlled synthesis of selective hydrotreating catalysts via mimicking homogeneous analogues.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Allosteric control of olefin isomerization kinetics via remote metal binding and its mechanochemical analysis

Abstract Allosteric control of reaction thermodynamics is well understood, but the mechanisms by which changes in local geometries of receptor sites lower activation reaction barriers in electronically uncoupled, remote reaction moieties remain relatively unexplored. Here we report a molecular scaffold in which the rate of thermal E-to-Z isomerization of an alkene increases by a factor of as much as 10 4 in response to fast binding of a metal ion to a remote receptor site. A mechanochemical model of the olefin coupled to a compressive harmonic spring reproduces the observed acceleration quantitatively, adding the studied isomerization to the very few reactions demonstrated to be sensitive to extrinsic compressive force. The work validates experimentally the generalization of mechanochemical kinetics to compressive loads and demonstrates that the formalism of force-coupled reactivity offers a productive framework for the quantitative analysis of the molecular basis of allosteric control of reaction kinetics. Important differences in the effects of compressive vs. tensile force on the kinetic stabilities of molecules are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Active species in chloroaluminate ionic liquids catalyzing low-temperature polyolefin deconstruction

Abstract Chloroaluminate ionic liquids selectively transform (waste) polyolefins into gasoline-range alkanes through tandem cracking-alkylation at temperatures below 100 °C. Further improvement of this process necessitates a deep understanding of the nature of the catalytically active species and the correlated performance in the catalyzing critical reactions for the tandem polyolefin deconstruction with isoalkanes at low temperatures. Here, we address this requirement by determining the nuclearity of the chloroaluminate ions and their interactions with reaction intermediates, combining in situ 27 Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in situ Raman spectroscopy, Al K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy, and catalytic activity measurement. Cracking and alkylation are facilitated by carbenium ions initiated by AlCl 3 - tert -butyl chloride (TBC) adducts, which are formed by the dissociation of Al 2 Cl 7 − in the presence of TBC. The carbenium ions activate the alkane polymer strands and advance the alkylation cycle through multiple hydride transfer reactions. In situ 1 H NMR and operando infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that the cracking and alkylation processes occur synchronously; alkenes formed during cracking are rapidly incorporated into the carbenium ion-mediated alkylation cycle. The conclusions are further supported by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations coupled with an enhanced sampling method, and model experiments using n-hexadecane as a feed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Different Behaviors of a Substrate in P450 Decarboxylase and Hydroxylase Reveal Reactivity-Enabling Actors

Biological routes to the production of fuels from renewable feedstocks hold significant promise in our efforts towards a sustainable future. The fatty acid decarboxylase enzyme (OleT JE ) is a cytochrome P450 enzyme that converts long and medium chain fatty acids to terminal alkenes and shares significant similarities in terms of structure, substrate scope and mechanism with the hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450 BSβ ). Recent reports have demonstrated that catalytic pathways in these enzymes bifurcate when the heme is in its iron-hydroxo (compound II) state. In spite of significant similarities, the fundamental underpinnings of their different characteristic wild-type reactivities remain ambiguous. In this work, we develop point charges, modified parameters and report molecular simulations of this crucial intermediate step. Water occupancies and substrate mobility at the active site are observed to be vital differentiating aspects between the two enzymes in the compound II state and corroborate recent experimental hypotheses. Apart from increased substrate mobility in the hydroxylase, which could have implications for enabling the rebound mechanism for hydroxylation, OleT JE is characterized by much stronger binding of the substrate carboxylate group to the active site arginine, implicating it as an important enabling actor for decarboxylation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Diverse hydrocarbon biosynthetic enzymes can substitute for olefin synthase in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002

Cyanobacteria are among only a few organisms that naturally synthesize long-chain alkane and alkene hydrocarbons. Cyanobacteria use one of two pathways to synthesize alka/enes, either acyl-ACP reductase (Aar) and aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (Ado) or olefin synthase (Ols). The genomes of cyanobacteria encode one of these pathways but never both, suggesting a mutual exclusivity. We studied hydrocarbon pathway compatibility using the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (S7002) by co-expressing Ado/Aar and Ols and by entirely replacing Ols with three other types of hydrocarbon biosynthetic pathways. We find that Ado/Aar and Ols can co-exist and that slower growth occurs only when Ado/Aar are overexpressed at 38 °C. Furthermore, Ado/Aar and the non-cyanobacterial enzymes UndA and fatty acid photodecarboxylase are able to substitute for Ols in a knockout strain and conditionally rescue slow growth. Production of hydrocarbons by UndA in S7002 required a rational mutation to increase substrate range. Expression of the non-native enzymes in S7002 afforded unique hydrocarbon profiles and alka/enes not naturally produced by cyanobacteria. This suggests that the biosynthetic enzyme and the resulting types of hydrocarbons are not critical to supporting growth. Exchanging or mixing hydrocarbon pathways could enable production of novel types of CO 2 -derived hydrocarbons in cyanobacteria.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗