Chemical and electrochemical investigations of cobalt cyanide and ruthenium ammine complexes

Part I.

The stoichiometry and kinetics of the reaction between Co(CN₅H^3- and HgX₂ (X = CN, OH) have been investigated. The products of the reaction are two new complexes, [(NC)₅Co-HgX]^3- and [(NC)₅Co-Hg-Co(CN)₅]^6-, whose spectra are reported. The kinetic measurements produced a value for the forward rate constant of the reaction Co(CN)₅H^3- + OH^- k₁/k_-1 Co(CN)₅^4- +H₂O, k1 = (9.7 ± 0.8) x 10^-2 M^-1 sec^-1 at 24°C, and an equilibrium constant for the reaction K = 10^-6 M^-1.

Part II.

Unusually large and sharp "adsorption waves" appear in cyclic voltammograms of Co(CN)₅^3- and several cobalt(III) pentacyano complexes at stationary mercury electrodes. The nature of the adsorbed species and the reasons for the absence of the adsorption waves in polarograms taken with a d.m.e. have been examined. The data are compatible with the adsorption, in all cases, of a coordinatively unsaturated cobalt(II) complex, Co(CN)₄^2-, by means of a cobalt-mercury bond. When the resulting adsorbed complex is reduced, a series of subsequent chemical and electrode reactions is initiated in which three faradays of charge are consumed for each mole of adsorbed complex. The adsorption of the anionic complex strongly retards the reduction of other negatively charged complexes.

Part III.

A number of formal redox potentials for Ru^III (NH₃)₅L + e = Ru^II (NH₃)₅L and Ru^III(NH₃)₄L₂ + e = Ru^II (NH₃)₄L₂ (where L is various ligands) has been measured by cyclic voltammetry, potentiometry, and polarography and are discussed in terms of the properties of the ligands, such as π-accepting capability. Reduction of coordinated pyrazine in the complexes, Ru(NH₃)₅ Pz²⁺, cis- and trans-Ru(NH₃)₄Pz₂²⁺, on a mercury electrode has been observed. The behavior of this reduction in various acidity of the solution as well as the reoxidation of the reduction products are discussed.

Proton transfers at the air-water interface

Proton transfer reactions at the interface of water with hydrophobic media, such as air or lipids, are ubiquitous on our planet. These reactions orchestrate a host of vital phenomena in the environment including, for example, acidification of clouds, enzymatic catalysis, chemistries of aerosol and atmospheric gases, and bioenergetic transduction. Despite their importance, however, quantitative details underlying these interactions have remained unclear. Deeper insight into these interfacial reactions is also required in addressing challenges in green chemistry, improved water quality, self-assembly of materials, the next generation of micro-nanofluidics, adhesives, coatings, catalysts, and electrodes. This thesis describes experimental and theoretical investigation of proton transfer reactions at the air-water interface as a function of hydration gradients, electrochemical potential, and electrostatics. Since emerging insights hold at the lipid-water interface as well, this work is also expected to aid understanding of complex biological phenomena associated with proton migration across membranes.

Based on our current understanding, it is known that the physicochemical properties of the gas-phase water are drastically different from those of bulk water. For example, the gas-phase hydronium ion, H₃O⁺(g), can protonate most (non-alkane) organic species, whereas H₃O⁺(aq) can neutralize only relatively strong bases. Thus, to be able to understand and engineer water-hydrophobe interfaces, it is imperative to investigate this fluctuating region of molecular thickness wherein the ‘function’ of chemical species transitions from one phase to another via steep gradients in hydration, dielectric constant, and density. Aqueous interfaces are difficult to approach by current experimental techniques because designing experiments to specifically sample interfacial layers (< 1 nm thick) is an arduous task. While recent advances in surface-specific spectroscopies have provided valuable information regarding the structure of aqueous interfaces, but structure alone is inadequate to decipher the function. By similar analogy, theoretical predictions based on classical molecular dynamics have remained limited in their scope.

Recently, we have adapted an analytical electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESIMS) for probing reactions at the gas-liquid interface in real time. This technique is direct, surface-specific,and provides unambiguous mass-to-charge ratios of interfacial species. With this innovation, we have been able to investigate the following:

1. How do anions mediate proton transfers at the air-water interface?

2. What is the basis for the negative surface potential at the air-water interface?

3. What is the mechanism for catalysis ‘on-water’?

In addition to our experiments with the ESIMS, we applied quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics to simulate our experiments toward gaining insight at the molecular scale. Our results unambiguously demonstrated the role of electrostatic-reorganization of interfacial water during proton transfer events. With our experimental and theoretical results on the ‘superacidity’ of the surface of mildly acidic water, we also explored implications on atmospheric chemistry and green chemistry. Our most recent results explained the basis for the negative charge of the air-water interface and showed that the water-hydrophobe interface could serve as a site for enhanced autodissociation of water compared to the condensed phase.

Electrical, electrochemical, and optical characterization of ceria films

Acceptor-doped ceria has been recognized as a promising intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell electrode/electrolyte material. For practical implementation of ceria as a fuel cell electrolyte and for designing model experiments for electrochemical activity, it is necessary to fabricate thin films of ceria. Here, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition was carried out in a homemade reactor to grow ceria films for further electrical, electrochemical, and optical characterization. Doped/undoped ceria films are grown on single crystalline oxide wafers with/without Pt line pattern or Pt solid layer. Deposition conditions were varied to see the effect on the resultant film property. Recently, proton conduction in nanograined polycrystalline pellets of ceria drew much interest. Thickness-mode (through-plane, z-direction) electrical measurements were made to confirm the existence of proton conductivity and investigate the nature of the conduction pathway: exposed grain surfaces and parallel grain boundaries. Columnar structure presumably favors proton conduction, and we have found measurable proton conductivity enhancement. Electrochemical property of gas-columnar ceria interface on the hydrogen electrooxidation is studied by AC impedance spectroscopy. Isothermal gas composition dependence of the electrode resistance was studied to elucidate Sm doping level effect and microstructure effect. Significantly, preferred orientation is shown to affect the gas dependence and performance of the fuel cell anode. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the origin of this behavior. Lastly, an optical transmittance based methodology was developed to obtain reference refractive index and microstructural parameters (thickness, roughness, porosity) of ceria films via subsequent fitting procedure.

Reactions of small molecules facilitated by metal-acceptor interactions

The role of metal-acceptor interactions arising from M–BR3 and M–PR3 bonding is discussed with respect to reactions between first-row transition metals and N2, H2, and CO. Thermally robust, S = 1/2 (TPB)Co(H2) and (TPB)Co(N2) complexes (TPB = tris(2- (diisopropylphosphino)phenyl)borane) are described and the energetics of N2 and H2 binding are measured. The H2 and N2 ligands are bound more weakly in the (TPB)Co complexes than in related (SiP3)M(L) complexes (SiP3 = tris(2- (diisopropylphosphino)phenyl)silyl). Comparisons within and between these two ligand platforms allow for the factors that affect N2 (and H2) binding and activation to be delineated. The characterization and reactivity of (DPB)Fe complexes (DPB = bis(2- (diisopropylphosphino)phenyl)phenylborane) in the context of N2 functionalization and E–H bond addition (E = H, C, N, Si) are described. This platform allows for the one-pot transformation of free N2 to an Fe hydrazido(-) complex via an Fe aminoimide intermediate. The principles learned from the N2 chemistry using (DPB)Fe are applied to CO reduction on the same system. The preparation of (DPB)Fe(CO)2 is described as well as its reductive functionalization to generate an unprecedented Fe dicarbyne. The bonding in this highly covalent complex is discussed in detail. Initial studies of the reactivity of the Fe dicarbyne reveal that a CO-derived olefin is released upon hydrogenation. Alternative approaches to uncovering unusual reactivity using metal- acceptor interactions are described in Chapters 5 and 6, including initial studies on a new π-accepting tridentate diphosphinosulfinyl ligand and strategies for designing ligands that undergo site-selective metallation to generate heterobimetallic complexes.

Signal transduction with hybridization chain reactions

Some of the most exciting developments in the field of nucleic acid engineering include the utilization of synthetic nucleic acid molecular devices as gene regulators, as disease marker detectors, and most recently, as therapeutic agents. The common thread between these technologies is their reliance on the detection of specific nucleic acid input markers to generate some desirable output, such as a change in the copy number of an mRNA (for gene regulation), a change in the emitted light intensity (for some diagnostics), and a change in cell state within an organism (for therapeutics). The research presented in this thesis likewise focuses on engineering molecular tools that detect specific nucleic acid inputs, and respond with useful outputs.

Four contributions to the field of nucleic acid engineering are presented: (1) the construction of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detector based on the mechanism of hybridization chain reaction (HCR); (2) the utilization of a single-stranded oligonucleotide molecular Scavenger as a means of enhancing HCR selectivity; (3) the implementation of Quenched HCR, a technique that facilitates transduction of a nucleic acid chemical input into an optical (light) output, and (4) the engineering of conditional probes that function as sequence transducers, receiving target signal as input and providing a sequence of choice as output. These programmable molecular systems are conceptually well-suited for performing wash-free, highly selective rapid genotyping and expression profiling in vitro, in situ, and potentially in living cells.

Electrochemical and electron transfer investigations of copper proteins

A study of the pH and temperature dependence of the redox potentials of azurins from five species of bacteria has been performed. The variations in the potentials with pH have been interpreted in terms of electrostatic interactions between the copper site and titrating histidine residues, including the effects of substitutions in the amino acid sequences of the proteins on the electrostatic interactions. A comparison of the observed pH dependences with predictions based on histidine pK_a values known for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pae), Alcaligenes denitrificans (Ade), and Alcaligenes faecalis (Afa) azurins indicates that the Pae and Ade redox potentials exhibit pH dependences in line with electrostatic arguments, while Afa azurin exhibits more complex behavior. Redox enthalpies and entropies for four of the azurins at low and high pH values have also been obtained. Based on these results in conjuction with the variable pH experiments, it appears that Bordetella bronchiseptica azurin may undergo a more substantial conformational change with pH than has been observed for other species of azurin.

The temperature dependence of the redox potential of bovine erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been determined at pH 7.0, with potassium ferricyanide as the mediator. The following thermodynamic parameters have been obtained (T = 25°C): E°' = 403±5 mV vs. NHE, ΔG°' = -9.31 kcal/mol, ΔH°' = -21.4 kcal/mol, ΔS°' = -40.7 eu, ΔS°'_(rc) = -25.1 eu. It is apparent from these results that ΔH°', rather than ΔS°', is the dominant factor in establishing the high redox potential of SOD. The large negative enthalpy of reduction may also reflect the factors which give SOD its high specificity toward reduction and oxidation by superoxide.

Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions from bis(carbene)-platinum(II) complexes and olefin polymerization and oligomerization using group 4 post-metallocene complexes

A long-standing challenge in transition metal catalysis is selective C–C bond coupling of simple feedstocks, such as carbon monoxide, ethylene or propylene, to yield value-added products. This work describes efforts toward selective C–C bond formation using early- and late-transition metals, which may have important implications for the production of fuels and plastics, as well as many other commodity chemicals.

The industrial Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process converts synthesis gas (syngas, a mixture of CO + H₂) into a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Well-defined homogeneous catalysts for F-T may provide greater product selectivity for fuel-range liquid hydrocarbons compared to traditional heterogeneous catalysts. The first part of this work involved the preparation of late-transition metal complexes for use in syngas conversion. We investigated C–C bond forming reactions via carbene coupling using bis(carbene)platinum(II) compounds, which are models for putative metal–carbene intermediates in F-T chemistry. It was found that C–C bond formation could be induced by either (1) chemical reduction of or (2) exogenous phosphine coordination to the platinum(II) starting complexes. These two mild methods afforded different products, constitutional isomers, suggesting that at least two different mechanisms are possible for C–C bond formation from carbene intermediates. These results are encouraging for the development of a multicomponent homogeneous catalysis system for the generation of higher hydrocarbons.

A second avenue of research focused on the design and synthesis of post-metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerization. The polymerization chemistry of a new class of group 4 complexes supported by asymmetric anilide(pyridine)phenolate (NNO) pincer ligands was explored. Unlike typical early transition metal polymerization catalysts, NNO-ligated catalysts produce nearly regiorandom polypropylene, with as many as 30-40 mol % of insertions being 2,1-inserted (versus 1,2-inserted), compared to <1 mol % in most metallocene systems. A survey of model Ti polymerization catalysts suggests that catalyst modification pathways that could affect regioselectivity, such as C–H activation of the anilide ring, cleavage of the amine R-group, or monomer insertion into metal–ligand bonds are unlikely. A parallel investigation of a Ti–amido(pyridine)phenolate polymerization catalyst, which features a five- rather than a six-membered Ti–N chelate ring, but maintained a dianionic NNO motif, revealed that simply maintaining this motif was not enough to produce regioirregular polypropylene; in fact, these experiments seem to indicate that only an intact anilide(pyridine)phenolate ligated-complex will lead to regioirregular polypropylene. As yet, the underlying causes for the unique regioselectivity of anilide(pyridine)phenolate polymerization catalysts remains unknown. Further exploration of NNO-ligated polymerization catalysts could lead to the controlled synthesis of new types of polymer architectures.

Finally, we investigated the reactivity of a known Ti–phenoxy(imine) (Ti-FI) catalyst that has been shown to be very active for ethylene homotrimerization in an effort to upgrade simple feedstocks to liquid hydrocarbon fuels through co-oligomerization of heavy and light olefins. We demonstrated that the Ti-FI catalyst can homo-oligomerize 1-hexene to C₁₂ and C₁₈ alkenes through olefin dimerization and trimerization, respectively. Future work will include kinetic studies to determine monomer selectivity by investigating the relative rates of insertion of light olefins (e.g., ethylene) vs. higher α-olefins, as well as a more detailed mechanistic study of olefin trimerization. Our ultimate goal is to exploit this catalyst in a multi-catalyst system for conversion of simple alkenes into hydrocarbon fuels.

Studies of molecular bonding, interactions and decomposition reactions on the (001) surface of ruthenium

The interactions of N₂, formic acid and acetone on the Ru(001) surface are studied using thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and computer modeling.

Low energy electron diffraction (LEED), EELS and TDMS were used to study chemisorption of N₂ on Ru(001). Adsorption at 75 K produces two desorption states. Adsorption at 95 K fills only the higher energy desorption state and produces a (√3 x √3)R30° LEED pattern. EEL spectra indicate both desorption states are populated by N₂ molecules bonded "on-top" of Ru atoms.

Monte Carlo simulation results are presented on Ru(001) using a kinetic lattice gas model with precursor mediated adsorption, desorption and migration. The model gives good agreement with experimental data. The island growth rate was computed using the same model and is well fit by R(t)^m - R(t₀)^m = At, with m approximately 8. The island size was determined from the width of the superlattice diffraction feature.

The techniques, algorithms and computer programs used for simulations are documented. Coordinate schemes for indexing sites on a 2-D hexagonal lattice, programs for simulation of adsorption and desorption, techniques for analysis of ordering, and computer graphics routines are discussed.

The adsorption of formic acid on Ru(001) has been studied by EELS and TDMS. Large exposures produce a molecular multilayer species. A monodentate formate, bidentate formate, and a hydroxyl species are stable intermediates in formic acid decomposition. The monodentate formate species is converted to the bidentate species by heating. Formic acid decomposition products are CO₂, CO, H₂, H₂O and oxygen adatoms. The ratio of desorbed CO with respect to CO₂ increases both with slower heating rates and with lower coverages.

The existence of two different forms of adsorbed acetone, side-on, bonded through the oxygen and acyl carbon, and end-on, bonded through the oxygen, have been verified by EELS. On Pt(111), only the end-on species is observed. On dean Ru(001) and p(2 x 2)O precovered Ru(001), both forms coexist. The side-on species is dominant on clean Ru(001), while O stabilizes the end-on form. The end-on form desorbs molecularly. Bonding geometry stability is explained by surface Lewis acidity and by comparison to organometallic coordination complexes.

Reactions of oxygen containing ligands in the coordination sphere of permethylhafnocene and permethyltantalocene

A series of terl-butylperoxide complexes of hafnium, Cp*₂Hf(R)(OOCMe₃) (Cp* = ((η⁵-C₅Me₅); R = Cl, H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH₂CHMe₂, CH=CHCMe₃, C₆H₅, meta-C₆H₃(CH₂)2) and Cp*(η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₄CH₂CH₂CH₂)Hf(OOCMe₃), has been synthesized. One example has been structurally characterized, Cp*₂Hf(OOCMe₃)CH₂CH₃ crystallizes in space group P2₁/c, with a = 19.890(7)Å, b = 8.746(4)Å, c = 17.532(6)Å, β = 124.987(24)°, V = 2498(2)ų, Z = 4 and R_F = 0.054 (2222 reflections, I > 0). Despite the coordinative unsaturation of the hafnium center, the terl-butylperoxide ligand is coordinated in a mono-dentate ligand. The mode of decomposition of these species is highly dependent on the substituent R. For R = H, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH₂CHMe₂ a clean first order conversion to Cp*₂Hf(OCMe₃)(OR) is observed (for R CH₂CH₃, ΔHǂ = 19.6 kcal•mol^-1, ΔSǂ = -13 e.u.). These results are discussed in terms of a two step mechanism involving η²-coordination of the terl-butylperoxide ligand. Homolytic O-O bond cleavage is observed upon heating of Cp*₂Hf(OOCMe₃) R (R = C₆H₆, meta-C₆H₃(CH₃)₂). In the presence of excess 9,10-dihydroanthracene thermolysis of Cp*₂Hf(OOCMe₃)C₆H₆ cleanly affords Cp*₂Hf(C₆H₆)OH and HOCMe₃ (ΔHǂ = 22.6 kcal•mol^-1, ΔSǂ = -9 e.u.). The O-O bond strength in these complexes is thus estimated to be 22 kcal•mol^-1.

Cp*₂Ta(CH₂)H, Cp*₂Ta(CHC₆H₅)H, Cp*₂Ta(C₆H₄)H, Cp*₂Ta(CH₂=CH₂)H and Cp*₂Ta(CH₂=CHMe)H react, presumably through Cp*₂Ta-R intermediates, with H₂O to give Cp*₂Ta(O)H and alkane. Cp*₂Ta(O)H was structurally characterized: space group P2₁/n, a= 13.073(3)Å, b = 19.337(4)Å, c = 16.002(3)Å, β = 108.66(2)°, V = 3832(1)ų, Z = 8 and R_F = 0.0672 (6730 reflections). Reaction of terlbutylhydroperoxide with these same starting materials ultimately yields Cp*₂Ta(O)R and HOCMe₃. Cp*₂Ta(CH₂=CHR)OH species are proposed as intermediates in the olefin hydride reactions. Cp*₂Ta(O₂)R species can be generated from the reaction of the same starting materials and O₂. Lewis acids have been shown to promote oxygen insertion in these complexes.

Synthetic, kinetic and mechanistic studies in early transition metal systems. I. α- and β-hydrogen elimination reactions in derivatives of permethyltitanocene, -zirconocene, and -hafnocene. II. The reactions of aluminum alkyls with derivatives of permethylniobocene

The thermal decomposition of Cp*Ti(CH_3)_2 (Cp*≡ ƞ^5-C_5Me_5) toluene solution follows cleanly first-order kinetics and produces a single titanium product Cp*(C_5Me_4CH_2)Ti(CH_3) concurrent with the evolution of one equivalent of methane. Labeling studies using Cp*_2Ti- (CD_3)_2 and (Cp*-d_(15))_2Ti(CH_3)_2 show the decomposition to be intramolecular and the methane to be produced by the coupling of a methyl group with a hydrogen from the other TiCH_3 group. Activation parameters, ΔH^‡ and ΔS^‡, and kinetic deuterium isotope effects have been measured. The alternative decomposition pathways of α-hydrogen abstraction and a-hydrogen elimination, both leading to a titanium-methylidene intermediate, are discussed.

The insertion of unactivated acetylenes into the metal-hydride bonds of Cp*_2MH_2 (M = Zr, Hf) proceeds rapidly at low temperature to form monoand/ or bisinsertion products, dependent upon the steric bulk of the acetylene substituents. Cp*_2M(H)(C(Me)=CHMe), Cp*_2M(H)(CH=CHCMe_3), Cp*_2M(H)-(CH=CHPh), Cp*_2M(CH=CHPh)_2, Cp*_2M(CH=CHCH_3)_2 and Cp*_2Zr- (CH=CHCH_2CH_3)_2 have been isolated and characterized. To extend the study of unsaturated-carbon ligands, Cp*_2M(C≡CCH_3)_2 have been prepared by treating Cp*_2MCl_2 with LiC≡CCH_3. The reactivity of many of these complexes with carbon monoxide and dihydrogen is surveyed. The mono(2- butenyl) complexes Cp*_2M(H)(C(Me)=CHMe) rearrange at room temperature, forming the crotyl-hydride species Cp*_2M(H)(ƞ^3-C_4H_7). The bis(propenyl) and bis(l-butenyl) zirconium complexes Cp*_2Zr(CH=CHR)_2 (R = CH_3, CH_2CH_3) also rearrange, forming zirconacyclopentenes. Labeling studies, reaction chemistry, and kinetic measurements, including deuterium isotope effects, demonstrate that the unusual 6-hydrogen elimination from an sp^2-hybridized carbon is the first step in these latter rearrangements but is not observed in the former. Details of these mechanisms and the differences in reactivity of the zirconium and hafnium complexes are discussed.

The reactions of hydride- and alkyl-carbonyl derivatives of permethylniobocene with equimolar amounts of trialkylaluminum reagents occur rapidly producing the carbonyl adducts Cp*_2Nb(R)(COAlR'_3) (R = H, CH_3, CH_2CH_3, CH_2CH_2Ph, C(Me)=CHMe; R' = Me, Et). The hydride adduct Cp*_2NbH_3•AlEt_3 has also been formed. In solution, each of these compounds exists in equilibrium with the uncomplexed species. The formation constants for Cp*_2Nb(H)(COA1R'_R) have been measured. They indicate the steric bulk of the Cp* ligands plays a deciding factor in the isolation of the first example of an aluminum Lewis acid bound to a carbonyl-oxygen in preference to a metalhydride. Reactions of Cp*_2Nb(H)CO with other Lewis acids and of the one:one adducts with H_2, CO and C_2H_4 are also discussed.

Cp*_2Nb(H)(C_2H_4) also reacts with equimolar amounts of trialkylaluminum reagents, forming a one:one complex that ^1H NMR spectroscopy indicates contains a Nb-CH_2CH_2-Al bridge. This adduct also exists in equilibrium with the uncomplexed species in solution. The formation constant for Cp*_2N+/b(H)(CH_2CH_2ĀlEt_3) has been measured. Reactions of Cp*_2Nb(H)(C_2H_4) with other Lewis acids and the reactions of Cp*_2N+b(H)- (CH_2CH_2ĀlEt_3) with CO and C_2H_4 are described, as are the reactions of Cp_*2Nb(H)(CH_2=CHR) (R = Me, Ph), Cp*_2Nb(H)(CH_3C≡CCH_3) and Cp*_2Ti-(C_2H_4) with AlEt_3.

Theory of ozone isotopic effects and various electron transfer reactions

Three separate topics, each stimulated by experiments, are treated theoretically in this dessertation: isotopic effects of ozone, electron transfer at interfaces, and intramolecular directional electron transfer in a supramolecular system.

The strange mass-independent isotope effect for the enrichment of ozone, which has been a puzzle in the literature for some 20 years, and the equally puzzling unconventional strong mass-dependent effect of individual reaction rate constants are studied as different aspects of a symmetry-driven behavior. A statistical (RRKM-based) theory with a hindered-rotor transition state is used. The individual rate constant ratios of recombination reactions at low pressures are calculated using the theory involving (1) small deviation from the statistical density of states for symmetric isotopomers, and (2) weak collisions for deactivation of the vibrationally excited ozone molecules. The weak collision and partitioning among exit channels play major roles in producing the large unconventional isotope effect in "unscrambled" systems. The enrichment studies reflect instead the non-statistical effect in "scrambled" systems. The theoretical results of low-pressure ozone enrichments and individual rate constant ratios obtained from these calculations are consistent with the corresponding experimental results. The isotopic exchange rate constant for the reaction ^(16)O + ^(18)O ^(18)O→+ ^(16)O ^(18)O + ^(18)O provides information on the nature of a variationally determined hindered-rotor transition state using experimental data at 130 K and 300 K. Pressure effects on the recombination rate constant, on the individual rate constant ratios and on the enrichments are also investigated. The theoretical results are consistent with the experimental data. The temperature dependence of the enrichment and rate constant ratios is also discussed, and experimental tests are suggested. The desirability of a more accurate potential energy surface for ozone in the transition state region is also noted.

Electron transfer reactions at semiconductor /liquid interfaces are studied using a tight-binding model for the semiconductors. The slab method and a z-transform method are employed in obtaining the tight-binding electronic structures of semiconductors having surfaces. The maximum electron transfer rate constants at Si/viologen^(2-/+) and InP /Me_(2)Fc^(+/O) interfaces are computed using the tight-binding type calculations for the solid and the extended-Huckel for the coupling to the redox agent at the interface. These electron transfer reactions are also studied using a free electron model for the semiconductor and the redox molecule, where Bardeen's method is adapted to calculate the coupling matrix element between the molecular and semiconductor electronic states. The calculated results for maximum rate constant of the electron transfer from the semiconductor bulk states are compared with the experimentally measured values of Lewis and coworkers, and are in reasonable agreement, without adjusting parameters. In the case of InP /liquid interface, the unusual current vs applied potential behavior is additionally interpreted, in part, by the presence of surface states.

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions in small supramolecular systems, such as 4-aminonaphthalimide compounds, are interesting in that there are, in principle, two alternative pathways (directions) for the electron transfer. The electron transfer, however, is unidirectional, as deduced from pH-dependent fluorescence quenching studies on different compounds. The role of electronic coupling matrix element and the charges in protonation are considered to explain the directionality of the electron transfer and other various results. A related mechanism is proposed to interpret the fluorescence behavior of similar molecules as fluorescent sensors of metal ions.

Reactions of platinum(II) complexes with dioxygen: progress toward alkane functionalization

Whereas stoichiometric activation of C-H bonds by complexes of transition metals is becoming increasingly common, selective functionalization of alkanes remains a formidable challenge in organometallic chemistry. The recent advances in catalytic alkane functionalization by transition-metal complexes are summarized in Chapter I.

The studies of the displacement of pentafluoropyridine in [(tmeda)Pt(CH_3)(NC_5F_5)][BAr^f_4] (1) with γ- tetrafluoropicoline, a very poor nucleophile, are reported in Chapter II. The ligand substitution occurs by a dissociative interchange mechanism. This result implies that dissociative loss of pentafluoropyridine is the rate-limiting step in the C-H activation reactions of 1.

Oxidation of dimethylplatinum(II) complexes (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 (N-N = tmeda(1), α-diimines) by dioxygen is described in Chapter III. Mechanistic studies suggest a two-step mechanism. First, a hydroperoxoplatinum(IV) complex is formed in a reaction between (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 and dioxygen. Next, the hydroperoxy complex reacts with a second equivalent of (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 to afford the final product, (N-N)Pt(OH)(OCH_3)(CH_3)_2. The hydroperoxy intermediate, (tmeda)Pt(OOH)(OCH_3)(CH_3)_2 (2), was isolated and characterized. The reactivity of 2 with several dime thylplatinum(II) complexes is reported.

The studies described in Chapter IV are directed toward the development of a platinum(II)-catalyzed oxidative alkane dehydrogenation. Stoichiometric conversion of alkanes (cyclohexane, ethane) to olefins (cyclohexene, ethylene) is achieved by C-H activation with [(N-N)Pt(CH_3)(CF_3CH_2OH)]BF_4 (1, N-N is N,N'-bis(3,5-di-t- butylphenyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene) which results in the formation of olefin hydride complexes. The first step in the C-H activation reaction is formation of a platinum(II) alkyl which undergoes β-hydrogen elimination to afford the olefin hydride complex. The cationic ethylplatinum(II) intermediate can be generated in situ by treating diethylplatinum(II) compounds with acids. Treatment of (phen)PtEt_2 with [H(OEt_2)_2]Bar^f_4 at low temperatures resulted in the formation of a mixture of [(phen)PtEt(OEt_2)]Bar^f_4 (8) and [(phen)Pt(C_2H_4)H] Bar^f_4 (7). The cationic olefin complexes are unreactive toward dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Since the success of the overall catalytic cycle depends on our ability to oxidize the olefin hydride complexes, a series of neutral olefin complexes of platinum(II) with monoanionic ligands (derivatives of pyrrole-2-carboxyaldehyde N-aryl imines) was prepared. Unfortunately, these are also stable to oxidation.

New materials for biological applications prepared by olefin metathesis reactions

With the advent of well-defined ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts that are highly active and stable to a variety of functional groups, the synthesis of complex organic molecules and polymers is now possible; this is reviewed in Chapter 1. The majority of the rest of this thesis describes the application of these catalysts towards the synthesis of novel polymers that may be useful in biological applications and investigations into their efficacy.

A method was developed to produce polyethers by metathesis, and this is described in Chapters 2 and 3. An unsaturated 12-crown-4 analog was made by template- directed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and utilized as a monomer for the synthesis of unsaturated polyethers by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The yields were high and a range of molecular weights was accessible. In a similar manner, substituted polyethers with various backbones were synthesized: polymers with benzo groups along the backbone and various concentrations of amino acids were prepared. The results from in vitro toxicity tests of the unsubstituted polyethers are considered.

The conditions necessary to synthesize polynorbornenes with pendent bioactive peptides were explored as illustrated in Chapter 4. First, the polymerization of various norbornenyl monomers substituted with glycine, alanine or penta(ethylene glycol) is described. Then, the syntheses of polymers substituted with peptides GRGD and SRN, components of a cell binding domain of fibronectin, using newly developed ruthenium initiators are discussed.

In Chapter 5, the syntheses of homopolymers and a copolymer containing GRGDS and PHSRN, the more active forms of the peptides, are described. The ability of the polymers to inhibit human dermal fibroblast cell adhesion to fibronectin was assayed using an in vitro competitive inhibition assay, and the results are discussed. It was discovered that the copoymer substituted with both GRGDS and PHSR peptides was more active than both the GRGDS-containing homopolymer and the GRGDS free peptide.

Historically, one of the drawbacks to using metathesis is the removal of the residual ruthenium at the completion of the reaction. Chapter 6 describes a method where the water soluble tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine is utilized to facilitate the removal of residual ruthenium from RCM reaction products.

The theory of long distance electron transfer reactions

The rate of electron transport between distant sites was studied. The rate depends crucially on the chemical details of the donor, acceptor, and surrounding medium. These reactions involve electron tunneling through the intervening medium and are, therefore, profoundly influenced by the geometry and energetics of the intervening molecules. The dependence of rate on distance was considered for several rigid donor-acceptor "linkers" of experimental importance. Interpretation of existing experiments and predictions for new experiments were made.

The electronic and nuclear motion in molecules is correlated. A Born-Oppenheimer separation is usually employed in quantum chemistry to separate this motion. Long distance electron transfer rate calculations require the total donor wave function when the electron is very far from its binding nuclei. The Born-Oppenheimer wave functions at large electronic distance are shown to be qualitatively wrong. A model which correctly treats the coupling was proposed. The distance and energy dependence of the electron transfer rate was determined for such a model.

Transition metal clusters supported by multinucleating ligand frameworks as models of biological active sites

This dissertation describes efforts to model biological active sites with small molecule clusters. The approach used took advantage of a multinucleating ligand to control the structure and nuclearity of the product complexes, allowing the study of many different homo- and heterometallic clusters. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of the multinucleating hexapyridyl trialkoxy ligand used throughout this thesis and the synthesis of trinuclear first row transition metal complexes supported by this framework, with an emphasis on tricopper systems as models of biological multicopper oxidases. The magnetic susceptibility of these complexes were studied, and a linear relation was found between the Cu-O(alkoxide)-Cu angles and the antiferromagnetic coupling between copper centers. The triiron(II) and trizinc(II) complexes of the ligand were also isolated and structurally characterized.

Chapter 3 describes the synthesis of a series of heterometallic tetranuclear manganese dioxido complexes with various incorporated apical redox-inactive metal cations (M = Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Zn²⁺, Y³⁺). Chapter 4 presents the synthesis of heterometallic trimanganese(IV) tetraoxido complexes structurally related to the CaMn₃ subsite of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Photosystem II. The reduction potentials of these complexes were studied, and it was found that each isostructural series displays a linear correlation between the reduction potentials and the Lewis acidities of the incorporated redox-inactive metals. The slopes of the plotted lines for both the dioxido and tetraoxido clusters are the same, suggesting a more general relationship between the electrochemical potentials of heterometallic manganese oxido clusters and their “spectator” cations. Additionally, these studies suggest that Ca²⁺ plays a role in modulating the redox potential of the OEC for water oxidation.

Chapter 5 presents studies of the effects of the redox-inactive metals on the reactivities of the heterometallic manganese complexes discussed in Chapters 3 and 4. Oxygen atom transfer from the clusters to phosphines is studied; although the reactivity is kinetically controlled in the tetraoxido clusters, the dioxido clusters with more Lewis acidic metal ions (Y³⁺ vs. Ca²⁺) appear to be more reactive. Investigations of hydrogen atom transfer and electron transfer rates are also discussed.

Appendix A describes the synthesis, and metallation reactions of a new dinucleating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)ligand framework. Dicopper(I) and dicobalt(II) complexes of this ligand were prepared and structurally characterized. A dinickel(I) dichloride complex was synthesized, reduced, and found to activate carbon dioxide. Appendix B describes preliminary efforts to desymmetrize the manganese oxido clusters via functionalization of the basal multinucleating ligand used in the preceding sections of this dissertation. Finally, Appendix C presents some partially characterized side products and unexpected structures that were isolated throughout the course of these studies.