HOMO based two electrons and one-electron oxidation in planar and nonplanar methoxy-substituted nickel tetraphenylporphyrins

A series of methoxy-substituted nickel tetra phenylporphyrins were synthesized by a direct method to correlate their electrochemical properties with nonplanar distortion of the porphyrin rings. From the newly synthesized nickel tetraphenylporphyrin complexes with o,p-dimethoxy [T(2,4-OMe)PPNi], o,m-dimethoxy [T(2,5-OMe)PPNi], m,p-dimethoxy [T(3,4-OMe)PPNi], and o,o′, p-trimethoxy [T(2,4,6-OMe)PPNi] substituted phenyl groups, the planar T(2,4,6-OMe)PPNi structure elucidated by X-ray crystallography shows two well separated one-electron oxidations at +0.85 V and +1.22 V. Among previously reported nickel tetraphenylporphyrins with p-methoxy [T(4-OMe)PPNi] and m,m′,p-trimethoxy [T(3,4,5-OMe)PPNi] substituted phenyl groups, the structurally characterized highly distorted T(3,4,5-OMe)PPNi shows a two-electron oxidation occurring at the potential of +1.05 V. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on the nickel porphine systems show lowering of HOMO-LUMO gap in distorted ruffled or saddled systems with change in the energy level of HOMO and HOMO−1. While the decrease in HOMO-LUMO gap can explain the lowering in the difference between first oxidation potential and first reduction potential, Δ|Ox1 − Red1|, the degeneracy or near-degeneracy of HOMO and HOMO−1 in distorted systems explains the two-electron oxidation process due to pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion in highly distorted nickel porphyrins.     

The axial ligand effect of oxo-iron porphyrin catalysts. How does chloride compare to thiolate?

We have performed density functional theory calculations on an oxo-iron porphyrin catalyst with chloride as an axial ligand and tested its reactivity toward propene. The reactions proceed via multistate reactivity on competing doublet and quartet spin surfaces. Close-lying epoxidation and hydroxylation mechanisms are identified, whereby in the gas phase the epoxidation reaction is dominant, while in environments with a large dielectric constant the hydroxylation pathways become competitive. By contrast to reactions with thiolate as an axial ligand all low-lying pathways have small ring-closure and rebound barriers, so it is expected that side products and rearrangements will be unlikely with Fe=O(porphyrin)Cl, whereas with Fe=O(porphyrin)SH some side products were predicted. The major differences in the electronic configurations of Fe=O(porphyrin)Cl and Fe=O(porphyrin)SH are due to strong mixing of thiolate orbitals with iron 3d orbitals, a mixing which is much less with chloride as an axial ligand. Predictions of the reactivity of ethylbenzene-h ₁₂ versus ethylbenzene-d ₁₂ are made. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Porphyrin platinum conjugates - new aims

Forty porphyrin platinum conjugates were synthesized, which exhibited a photodynamic effect due to the porphyrin system and a cytostatic effect due to the platinum fragment present in the same molecule. The porphyrin ligands for the platinum complexes were synthesized starting from hematoporphyrin and deuteroporphyrin. The platinum complexes are of the (diamine)PtCl₂, (diamine)Pt(phthalato), (NH₃)₂Pt(dicarboxylato) and (diamine)Pt(dicarboxylato) type. Their antitumor activity was tested with the MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cell line with and without irradiation.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel unsymmetrical macrobicyclic tricompartmental mono and binuclear nickel(II) complexes: Electrochemical and kinetic studies of phosphate hydrolysis

A series of macrobicyclic mono and binuclear nickel(II) complexes of type [NiL](ClO₄) and [Ni₂L](ClO₄)₂, where L is macroyclic ligand derived from the precursor compound 3,4:10,11-dibenzo-1,13[N,N′-bis{(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl}diaza]-5,9-dioxocyclopentadecane, have been synthesized in order to examine electrochemical and catalytic studies on the basis of macrocyclic ring size. The macrocycle consists of three dissimilar compartments arising from ether oxygen, tertiary nitrogen and imine nitrogen atoms. Electrochemical studies have shown that the mononuclear nickel(II) complexes undergo quasireversible single step one electron reduction and oxidation and binuclear nickel(II) complexes undergo two quasireversible one electron reduction and oxidation. The EPR silent nature is ascribed to Ni(II) state and all the nickel(II) complexes have square planar geometry and are diamagnetic in nature. The complexes were subjected to hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate and the catalytic activities of the complexes are found to increase with macrocyclic ring size of the complexes. As the macrocyclic ring size of the complexes increases, the spectral, electrochemical and catalytic studies of the complexes show remarkable variation due to distortion in the geometry around the nickel(II) centre.     

Fluoroboration of a Schiff-base ligand through nickel tetrafluoroborate

The nickel-assisted equilibrium-fluoroboration of the Schiff-base compound, a 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde salicylhydrazone (H₂L) is reported. Crystal structure of the fluoroborated nickel compound 1 Ni(L-BF₂)₂ revealed that the boron atom was in a distorted tetrahedral geometry with two of the fluorine atoms, one of the phenol oxygen atom and the uncoordinated hydrazone nitrogen atom occupying the four coordination positions. It was suggested that the coordination abilities of the precursor H₂L and the product L-BF₂ to the nickel atom are important factors influencing the fluoroboration. The cobalt and nickel compounds Co(HL)₂ (2) and Ni(HL)₂ (3) of the precursor ligand were also structurally characterized for comparison. The ESI-MS spectra revealed that both sodium and cobalt tetrafluoroborate salt cannot make the precursor fluoroborated, and the fluoroboration of the precursor occurred only in the presence of nickel ion.     

Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of a Ni(II) complex with citric acid

The complex compound K₂[Ni(cit)(H₂O)₂]₂·4H₂O (cit = triionized citrate ion) seems to be a good model for the investigation of Ni(II)/citrate interactions that are of interest in relation to nickel metabolism and bioaccumulation. Its infrared and Raman spectra were recorded and analyzed on the basis of its structural peculiarities. The magnetic susceptibility, investigated in the temperature range between 1.9 and 300 K, shows the absence of magnetic interactions between the two metal centers present in this structure.     

Effect of nitrous oxide on nickel deprivation in rats

Because nickel may have a biological function in a pathway in which vitamin B₁₂ is important, an experiment was performed to determine the effects of nitrous oxide exposure in rats deprived of nickel. Exposure to nitrous oxide (N₂O) causes inactivation of cobalamin and a subsequent decrease in the vitamin B₁₂-dependent enzymes methionine synthase and methylmalonyl CoA mutase. Rats were assigned to dietary groups of 12 in a factorially arranged experiment with dietary variables of nickel (0 or 1 μg/g) and vitamin B₁₂ (0 or 50 ng/g). After 6 wk, one-half of the rats from each dietary group were exposed to 50% N₂O/50% O₂ for 90 min/d for the last 28 d of the experiment. Vitamin B₁₂, N₂O, or their interaction had numerous effects; classical findings included N₂O-induced reduction in plasma vitamin B₁₂ and decreases in the vitamin B₁₂-dependent enzymes. Inactivation of vitamin B₁₂ by N₂O, however, did not exacerbate signs of nickel deprivation, possibly because the rats were able to metabolically compensate to N₂O exposure. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product in this article does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the United States Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.     

An EXAFS study of jack bean urease,a nickel metalloenzyme

EXAFS and XANES spectra have been recorded above the nickel K edge of urease and three model compounds. Preliminary results indicate that the local environment of the nickel ions in urease resemble most closely that of the nickel ions in the model compound [Ni(L)₂(L)₁] (ClO₄)₁, where L is 1-n-propyl-2-α-hydroxybenzyl benzimidazole and L is the deprotonated form.     

Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of two novel trinuclear Cu(II)/Ni(II) complexes with pentadentate ligand N-2-methyl-acryloyl-salicylhydrazide

Two new trinuclear complexes, Cu₃L₂(py)₂ (1) and Ni₃L₂(py)₄ (2), have been synthesized and characterized, where L³⁻ is N-2-methyl-acryloyl-salicylhydrazidate. Central metal ion and two terminal metal ions in the two complexes are combined by two bridging deprotonated L³⁻ ligands, forming a bent trinuclear structure unit with an M-N-N-M-N-N-M core. The bent angles in complexes 1 and 2 are 167.6(1)° and 75.4(1)°, respectively. Three nickel ions in compound 2 exhibit alternating square-planar and octahedral geometries, while three copper ions in compound 1 follow square-planar mode. The studies in solution integrity and stability of compounds 1 and 2 show they are soluble and stable in DMF. UV-Vis titrations demonstrate compound 1 is stable in DMF even in the presence of excess metal ions. Antibacterial screening data indicate the two compounds all have stronger antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms than ligand. The trinuclear copper compound 1 is more active than monocopper compounds in the previous study, and the trinuclear nickel compound 2 is less active than tetranuclear nickel compound in the previous study.     

Tris-ruthenium(II)/copper(II) multimetallic porphyrin: Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and supercoiled DNA photocleavage studies

The porphyrin, meso-5-(pentafluorophenyl)-10, 15, 20-tris(4-pyridyl)porphyrin has been used to synthesize two new metalloporphyrin complexes. Insertion of copper(II) into the porphyrin center gives the copper(II) porphyrin. Coordination of three [Ru(bipy)₂Cl]⁺ moieties (where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) to the pyridyl nitrogens of the copper(II) porphyrin gives the target complex. Electronic transitions associated with the copper(II) porphyrin and the triruthenium copper(II) porphyrin include an intense Soret band and a less intense Q-band in the visible region of the spectrum. An intense π-π∗ transition in the UV region associated with the bipyridyl groups and a metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band appearing as a shoulder to the Soret band are observed for the ruthenated copper(II) porphyrin. Electrochemical properties associated with the multimetallic complex include a redox couple in the cathodic region with E_1/2 = −0.86 V versus Ag/AgCl attributed to the porphyrin and a redox couple in the anodic region E_1/2 = 0.88 V versus Ag/AgCl due to the Ru^III/II couple. DNA titrations indicate the triruthenium copper(II) porphyrin interacts with DNA potentially through a groove binding mechanism. Irradiation of aqueous solutions of the target complex and supercoiled DNA at a 10:1 base pair to complex ratio with visible light above 400 nm indicates that the complex causes nicking of the DNA helix.     

The mechanistic aspects of iron(III) porphyrin catalyzed oxidation reactions in mixed solvents

In the iron(III) porphyrin catalyzed oxidation reactions, the formation of various reactive intermediates have been observed to depend upon the nature of the catalyst, the oxidant and the solvent used for the study. The various iron(III) porphyrin catalysts such as F₂₀TPPFeCl, F₁₆TPPFeCl, F₁₂TPPFeCl and F₈TPPFeCl have been used in the present study to understand the effect of solvent system in the activation of the catalysts. As the terminal oxidant t-BuOOH has been used. It has been observed that acetonitrile contaminated with water activates all the catalysts. It has been noted that ∼9% of water in acetonitrile is the best solvent system for the activation of all the catalysts. The results obtained have been applied to successfully oxidize cyclohexene and cyclohexane by these oxidizing systems. It has also been observed that CH₃OH mixed with CH₂Cl₂ play a very important role in the activation of catalyst in hydroperoxide oxidizing system. The 33 ± 3% ratio of CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ acts as the most suitable solvent system to convert organopalladium compound 1a-c to 2a-c.     

Distribution of various nickel compounds in rat organs after oral administration

In this study, eight kinds of nickel (Ni) compounds were orally administered to Wistar male rats and the distribution of each compound was investigated 24 h after the administration. The Ni compounds used in this experiment were nickel metal [Ni−M], nickel oxide (green) [NiO(G)], nickel oxide (black) [NiO(B)], nickel subsulfide [Ni₃S₂], nickel sulfide [NiS], nickel sulfate [NiSO₄], nickel chloride [NiCl₂], and nickel nitrate [Ni(NO₃)₂]. The solubilities of the nickel compounds in saline solution were in the following order; [Ni(NO₃)₂>NiCl₂>NiSO₄]≫[NiS>Ni₃S₂]>[NiO(B)>Ni−M>NiO(G)]. The Ni level in the visceral organs was higher in the rats given soluble Ni compounds; Ni(NO₃)₂, NiCl₂, NiSO₄, than that in the rats receiving other compounds. In the rats to which soluble Ni compounds were administered, 80–90% of the recovered Ni amounts in the examined organs was detected in the kidneys. On the other hand, the Ni concentration in organs administered scarcely soluble Ni compounds; NiO(B), NiO(G), and Ni−M were very low. The estimated absorbed fraction of each Ni compounds was increased with the increase of the solubility. These results suggest that the kinetic behavior of Ni compounds administered orally is closely related with the solubility of Ni compounds, and that the solubility of Ni compounds is one of the important factors for determining the health effect of Ni compounds.     

Synthesis,characterization and bioactivity of four novel trinuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with pentadentate ligands derived from N-acylsalicylhydrazide

Four novel trinuclear copper(II)/nickel(II) complexes with four trianionic pentadentate ligands, N-(3-t-butylbenzoyl)-5-nitrosalicylhydrazide (H₃3-t-bbznshz), N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)salicylhydrazide (H₃3,5-dmbzshz), N-(phenylacetyl)-5-bromosalicylhydrazide (H₃pabshz) and N-(3-t-butylbenzoyl)salicylhydrazide (H₃3-t-bbzshz) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. These trinuclear compounds all have an M–N–N–M–N–N–M core formed by three metal ions and two ligands. The geometries of three Cu(II) ions in compound Cu₃(3-t-bbznshz)₂(H₂O)(DMF)(py)₂ · DMF (1) alternate between distorted square pyramidal and square planar, while in compound Cu₃(3,5-dmbzshz)₂(py)₂ (2), they are all square planar. Three Ni(II) ions in compound Ni₃(pabshz)₂(DMF)₂(py)₂ (3) and Ni₃(3-t-bbzshz)₂(py)₄ · 2H₂O (4) follow square-planar/octahedral/square-planar coordination geometry. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 are bent trinuclear, with the bend angles of 156.4°, 141.49° and 127.1°, respectively, while the three nickel ions in compound 3 are strictly linear, with an angle of 180°. Studies on the trinuclear Ni(II) complexes show that the β-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazide ligands with sterically flexible Cα methylene groups are easier to yield linear trinuclear Ni(II) complexes, while α-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazides ligands tend to form bent trinuclear Ni(II) complexes. Antibacterial screening data indicate that the trinuclear Cu(II) compound 2 is more active than 1 and mononuclear Cu(II) compound, bent trinuclear Ni(II) compound 4 is more active than linear compound 3 and less active than tetranuclear nickel compound in the previous study.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA interactions of 5,15-(4-pyridyl)-10,20-(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin coordinated to two [Ru(bipy)2Cl] groups

A new porphyrin 5,15-(4-pyridyl)-10,20-(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (H₂DPDPFPP) and its diruthenium(II) analog ([trans-H₂(DPDPFPP)Ru₂(bipy)₄Cl₂(PF₆)₂]) have been synthesized and characterized. Electronic transitions associated with the porphyrin consist of an intense Soret band near 400 nm and four Q-bands from 500 nm to 650 nm. Coordination of two [Ru(bipy)₂Cl]⁺ groups, where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, to the pyridyl nitrogens of the porphyrin give additional electronic transitions associated with the bipy orbitals and metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions associated with the Ru(II) and bipy orbitals. Reversible redox couples in the cathodic region occur at E_1/2 = −0.74 V and −1.21 V versus Ag/AgCl reference which are shifted to more positive potentials when the porphyrin is coordinated to the Ru(II) groups. Gel electrophoresis studies with linearized pUC18 indicate an interaction between the metallated porphyrin and DNA which is confirmed by UV/Vis titrations with calf thymus (CT) DNA giving a binding constant of ca. 10⁵ M⁻¹. When buffered, pH 7, solutions of circular plasmid DNA containing the ruthenium porphyrin are irradiated with a 50 W tungsten lamp cleavage of the DNA is observed.     

Interactions of DNA with a new electron-deficient tentacle porphyrin: meso-Tetrakis[2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(2-trimethylammoniumethylamine)phenyl]porphyrin

A new electron-deficient tentacle porphyrin meso-tetrakis[2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(2-trimethylammoniumethylamine)phenyl]porphyrin (TθF₄TAP) has been synthesized. The binding interactions of TθF₄TAP with DNA polymers were studied for comparison to those of an electron-deficient tentacle porphyrin and an electron-rich tentacle porphyrin; these previously studied porphyrins bind to DNA primarily by intercalative and outside-binding modes, respectively. The three tentacle porphyrins have similar size and shape. The basicity of TθF₄TAP indicated that it has electronic characteristics similar to those of the intercalating electron-deficient tentacle porphyrin. However, TθF₄TAP binds to calf thymus DNA, [poly(dA-dT)]₂, and [poly(dG-dC)]₂ in a self-stacking, outside-binding manner under all conditions. Evidence for this binding mode included a significant hypochromicity of the Soret band, a conservative induced CD spectrum, and the absence of an increase in DNA solution viscosity. As found previously for the electron-rich porphyrin, the results suggest that combinations of closely related self-stacked forms coexist. The mix of forms depended on the DNA and the solution conditions. There are probably differences in the detailed features of the self-stacking adducts for the two types of tentacle porphyrins, especially at high R (ratio of porphyrin to DNA). At low R values, the induced CD signal of TθF₄TAP/CT DNA resembled that of TθF₄TAP/[poly(dA-dT)]₂, suggesting that TθF₄TAP binds preferentially at AT regions. Competitive binding experiments gave evidence that TθF₄TAP binds preferentially to [poly(dA-dT)]₂ over [poly(dG-dC)]₂. Thus, despite the long, positively charged, flexible substituents on the porphyrin, the binding of TθF₄TAP is significantly affected by base-pair composition. Similar characteristics were found previously for the electron-rich tentacle porphyrin. Thus, significant changes in electron richness have relatively minor effects on this outside binding selectivity for AT regions. TθF₄TAP is the first porphyrin with electron deficiency and shape similar to intercalating porphyrins that does not appear to intercalate. All porphyrins reported to intercalate have had pyridinium substituents. Thus, the electronic distribution in the porphyrin ring, not just the overall electron richness, may play a role in facilitating intercalation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 42: 203–217, 1997     

Nickel dependence of factor F430 content in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

Factor F₄₃₀ is a yellow compound of unknown structure present in methanogenic bacteria. It has recently been shown to contain nickel. In this communication the influence of the nickel concentration in the growth medium on the factor F₄₃₀ content of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and on the nickel content of factor F₄₃₀ was studied. It was found: (1) The content of factor F₄₃₀ in the cells was strongly dependent on the nickel concentration of the growth medium. Cells grown on media with 2.5 M NiCl₂ contained 28 times as much factor F₄₃₀ per g as those grown on media with 0.075 M NiCl₂; (2) factor F₄₃₀ was synthesized in nickel deprived cells only upon the addition of nickel Nickel uptake paralleled factor F₄₃₀ synthesis; (3) independent of the nickel concentration in the growth medium, the extinction coefficient at 430 nm of factor F₄₃₀ per mol nickel was always near 22,500 cm^-1 (mol Ni)^-1. These findings indicate that nickel is an essential component of factor F₄₃₀.Dedicated to Professor Otto Kandler on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Photoluminescence and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of a bis(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-porphyrin complex

The photoluminescence (PL) and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of [H₂(MPy3,4DMPP)Ru(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆), where H₂MPy3,4DMPP = meso-tris-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-mono-(4-pyridyl)porphyrin and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, are reported in acetonitrile. The compound has a complex absorbance spectrum with bands characteristic of both the porphyrin and ruthenium moieties. PL emission maxim are observed at 655 nm when excited at the maximum absorption intensity corresponding to the porphyrin Soret π → π^∗ band, and around 600 nm when excited at wavelengths corresponding to Ru(dπ)-bpy (π^∗) MLCT transition. The photoluminescence efficiency (?_em) of the 655 nm emission is 0.039 and that of the free porphyrin is 0.69 compared to at 0.042.[H₂(MPy3,4DMPP)Ru(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆) displays complex electrochemical behavior, with one electrochemically reversible Ru^II-Ru^III oxidation and two quasi-reversible waves at more cathodic potentials corresponding to the porphyrin moiety. Oxidative ECL was generated using the coreactant tri-n-propylamine (TPrA). ECL efficiencies (?_ecl) were 0.14 for [H₂(MPy3,4DMPP)Ru(bpy)₂Cl]⁺ and 0.099 for H₂MPy3,4DMPP using as the standard (?_ecl = 1). ECL intensity was linear with respect to concentration from 1 to 0.001 μM.The ECL intensity peaks at potentials corresponding to oxidation both the ruthenium and porphyrin moieties as well as TPrA, indicating that multiple pathways for formation of the excited state are possible. However, an ECL spectrum shows a band similar in energy and shape to that of the Soret emission (655 nm for the PL and 656 nm for the ECL, respectively), indicating the same excited state is formed in each experiment.     

Appended 1,2-naphthoquinones as anticancer agents 1: synthesis, structural, spectral and antitumor activities of ortho-naphthaquinone thiosemicarbazone and its transition metal complexes

Copper(II), nickel(II), palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of ortho-naphthaquinone thiosemicarbazone were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies. In both solution (NMR) and solid state (IR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction determination) the free ligand NQTS exists as the thione form. The Pd complex (X-ray) crystallizes as the H-bonded dimer, [Pd(NQTS)Cl]₂ · 2DMSO, where palladium(II) coordinates in a square planar configuration to the monodeprotonated, tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand. The nickel(II) complex shows 1:2 metal to ligand stoichiometry while the other complexes exhibit 1:1 metal-ligand compositions. In vitro anticancer studies on MCF7 human breast cancer cells reveal that adding a thiosemicarbazone pharmacophore to the parent quinone carbonyl considerably enhances its antiproliferative activity. Among the metal complexes, the nickel compound exhibits the lowest IC₅₀ value (2.25 μM) suggesting a different mechanism of action involving inhibition of topoisomerase II activity.     

Dissolution half-times of nickel compounds in water,rat serum,and renal cytosol

Seventeen nickel compounds were incubated in water, rat serum, and rat renal cytosol for 72 hr at 37°C. Concentrations of dissolved nickel were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and dissolution half-times (T50) were computed by the Weibull equation. Eleven of the nickel compounds (Ni, βNiS, amorphous NiS, αNi₃S₂, NiSe, Ni₃Se₂, NiTe, NiAs, Ni₁₁As₈, Ni₅As₂, and NiFeS₄) dissolved more rapidly in serum or cytosol than in water. Four of the compounds (NiO, NiSb, NiFe alloy, and NiTiO₃) had no detectable dissolution in any of the media (i.e., T50 > 11 yr). One compound (NiAsS) had approximately equal T50 values in the three media; the T50 value of one compound (NiS₂) could not be determined in serum or cytosol owing to precipitation. T50 values of 34 and 21 days for dissolution of αNi₃S₂ in serum and cytosol, respectively, agree closely with the excretion half-time of 24 days derived from previously reported data for excretion of ⁶³Ni in urine and feces of rats after intramuscular injection of α⁶³Ni₃S₂. These findings suggest that in vitro dissolution half-times of nickel compounds may be used to predict their in vivo excretion half-times, since the dissolution process is rate-limiting to their metabolism and excretion.     

Computational investigation of ethene trimerisation catalysed by cyclopentadienyl chromium complexes

Intermediates and transition states of the reaction cycle for the trimerisation of ethene catalysed by the initial catalyst precursor [η⁵-CpCrCl₂]₂ have been characterised by modeling, starting from the species η⁵-CpCrMe₂. This is a simplified model system of the actual catalytically active system containing bulky cyclopentadienyls. The ground-state multiplicity configuration was determined to be that of a quartet, in the case of non-chlorinated Cr(III) species, and a triplet for corresponding chlorinated Cr(IV) analogues. Geometry optimizations were performed on all intermediates, using their ground-state multiplicity, and all relevant transition states were located and subsequently optimised. The effect of an additional chlorine ligand on the chromium centre (viz. species of the form η⁵-CpCrClL_n) on the activation energy barriers was also determined for two key high energy transformations. It was found that the activation energy barriers are lowered significantly upon the addition of a chlorine ligand to the chromium centre. The rate determining step for the non-chlorinated, Cr(III) system, was calculated as requiring a free energy value of 88 kJ mol⁻¹, with the chlorinated Cr(IV) analogue at 56 kJ mol⁻¹ in the same step. The process of ethene tetramerisation was found to be unfeasible with the system, with a free energy barrier of 162 kJ mol⁻¹ associated with this transformation.