Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene.

A reliable, intermediate scale preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*H) is presented, based on modifications of existing protocols that derive from initial 2-bromo-2-butene lithiation followed by acid mediated dienol cyclization. The revised synthesis and purification of the ligand avoids the use of mechanical stirring while still permitting access to significant quantities (39 g) of Cp*H in good yield (58%). The procedure offers other additional benefits, including a more controlled quench of excess lithium during the production of the intermediate heptadienols and a simplified isolation of Cp*H of sufficient purity for metallation with transition metals.

Cp*Co(IPr): synthesis and reactivity of an unsaturated Co(i) complex.

Synthesis of coordinatively unsaturated Cp*Co(IPr) (2), is accomplished by addition of free N-heterocyclic carbene IPr to [(Cp*Co)2-μ-(η(4):η(4)-toluene)] (1). Stoichiometric reactivity is consistent with a 16 electron species, as 2 undergoes ligand addition/NHC displacement and reversible reaction with dihydrogen. Cp*Co(IPr) represents an elusive example of a stable Cp*CoL fragment.

Synthesis of a bis(indenyl) Co(I) anion: a reactive source of a 14 electron indenyl Co(I) equivalent.

Alkali metal reduction of (η(5)-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)2Co (1) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) permits isolation of the unusual and reactive 20 electron Co(I) anion [Na(THF)6][(η(5)-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)2Co] (2). Crystallographic characterization of both 1 and 2 provide support for the one electron reduction from Co(II) to Co(I). Reactivity studies of 2 are further consistent with a Co(I) equivalent, based on both one electron chemical oxidation to reform 1 and reaction with a variety of σ and π donors.

sp2 C-H activation of dimethyl fumarate by a [(Cp*Co)2-μ-(η4 : η4-toluene)] complex.

The well-defined oxidative addition of the vinylic sp(2) C-H bond of dimethyl fumarate is mediated by the cobalt triple decker complex [(Cp*Co)(2)-μ-(η(4) : η(4)-toluene)] (1) at ambient temperature, affording the dinuclear, bridging cobalt hydride, fumaryl compound (2). The C-H activation product has been characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Computational studies of 2 support asymmetric bonding interactions between the two metal centres and the bridging hydride/fumaryl fragments.

Development of more labile low electron count Co(I) sources: mild, catalytic functionalization of activated alkanes using a [(Cp*Co)2-μ-(η4:η4-arene)] complex.

Catalytic transfer dehydrogenation of silyl protected amines, requiring sp(3) C-H bond activation, is mediated by a bridging arene complex of the type [(Cp*Co)(2)-μ-(η(4):η(4)-arene)] under mild conditions. Mechanistic and qualitative rate studies establish the compound as a more reactive Co(I) source when compared to other known Cp*Co(I) complexes.

N2 hydrogenation from activated end-on bis(indenyl) zirconium dinitrogen complexes.

Sodium amalgam reduction of the bis(indenyl)zirconium dihalide complexes, (eta5-C9H5-1-iPr-3-Me)2ZrX2 (X = Cl, Br, I), yielded the corresponding end-on dinitrogen complexes, [(eta5-C9H5-1-iPr-3-Me)2Zr(NaX)]2(mu2, eta1, eta1-N2), with inclusion of 1 equiv of salt per zirconocene. The solid state structures of the chloro and iodo congeners establish short Zr N and elongated N N bonds, consistent with modest to strong activation of the coordinated dinitrogen molecule. Exposure of the N2 compounds to 1 atm of dihydrogen resulted in rapid N H bond formation to yield a hydrido zirconocene hydrazido compound concomitant with salt elimination.

Treatment with 1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (vitamin D3) to inhibit carcinogenesis in the hamster buccal pouch model.

Objective: To investigate whether systemic therapy with 1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (vitamin D(3) [hereinafter, VD(3)]) prevents tumor formation in a hamster buccal pouch model of carcinogenesis.

Design: Randomized trial in which a known carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), was applied to the buccal pouch of 40 hamsters. Animals were randomized to receive systemic VD(3) or no treatment and killed at 2, 6, and 14 weeks after the initiation of DMBA exposure.

Carbon-oxygen bond cleavage with eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes.

Treatment of the eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complex, (eta9-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)(eta5-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)Zr, with dialkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, CH3OR (R=Et, nBu, tBu), nBu2O, or iPr2O resulted in facile C-O bond scission furnishing an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkoxy hydride complex and free olefin. In cases where ethylene is formed, trapping by the zirconocene sandwich yields a rare example of a crystallographically characterized, base-free eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium ethylene complex. Observation of normal, primary kinetic isotope effects in combination with rate studies and the stability of various model compounds support a mechanism involving rate-determining C-H activation to yield an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkyl hydride intermediate followed by rapid beta-alkoxide elimination.

Translation initiation factor eIF4G-1 binds to eIF3 through the eIF3e subunit.

eIF3 in mammals is the largest translation initiation factor ( approximately 800 kDa) and is composed of 13 nonidentical subunits designated eIF3a-m. The role of mammalian eIF3 in assembly of the 48 S complex occurs through high affinity binding to eIF4G. Interactions of eIF4G with eIF4E, eIF4A, eIF3, poly(A)-binding protein, and Mnk1/2 have been mapped to discrete domains on eIF4G, and conversely, the eIF4G-binding sites on all but one of these ligands have been determined.

Synthesis of bis(indenyl)zirconium dihydrides and subsequent rearrangement to eta5,eta3-4,5-dihydroindenediyl ligands: evidence for intermediates during the hydrogenation to tetrahydroindenyl derivatives.

Exposure of eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes to 4 atm of H2 resulted in facile oxidative addition to furnish the corresponding zirconocene dihydrides, (eta5-C9H5-1,3-R2)2ZrH2 (R = SiMe3, SiMe2Ph, CHMe2). Continued hydrogenation completed conversion to the tetrahydroindenyl derivatives, (eta5-C9H9-1,3-R2)2ZrH2. Deuterium labeling studies established that dihydrogen (dideuterium) addition to the benzo rings is intramolecular and stereospecific, occurring solely from the endo face of the ligand, proximal to the zirconium.

Ligand-induced haptotropic rearrangements in bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes.

Addition of principally sigma-donating ligands such as THF, chelating diethers, or 1,2-bis(dimethyl)phosphinoethane to eta(9),eta(5)-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes, (eta(9)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))(eta(5)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))Zr (R = alkyl or silyl), induces haptotropic rearrangement to afford (eta(6)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))(eta(5)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))ZrL adducts. Examples where L = THF and DME have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and revealed significant buckling of the eta(6) benzo ring, consistent with reduction of the arene, and highlight the importance of the zirconium(IV) canonical form. For the THF-induced haptotropic rearrangements, the thermodynamic driving force for ring migration has been measured as a function of indenyl substituent and demonstrates silylated sandwiches favor THF coordination and the eta(6),eta(5) bonding motif over their alkylated counterparts.

Zirconium sandwich complexes with eta(9) indenyl ligands: well-defined precursors for zirconocene-mediated coupling reactions.

A family of isolable, well-defined bis-indenyl zirconium sandwich complexes, (eta(5)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))(eta(9)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))Zr (R = silyl, alkyl), have been prepared by either alkane reductive elimination or alkali metal reduction of a suitable zirconium(IV) dihalide precursor. Crystallographic characterization of two of these derivatives, R = SiMe(2)CMe(3) and CHMe(2), reveals unprecedented eta(9) coordination of one of the indenyl ligands. Variable-temperature and EXSY NMR studies establish that the eta(5) and eta(9) rings are rapidly interconverting in solution.

Synthesis of a zirconium sandwich complex and crystallographic characterization of its adduct with tetrahydrofuran.

Reductive elimination of alkane from a silylated bis-indenyl zirconium isobutyl hydride affords a zirconium sandwich complex with an unusual eta6 indenyl ligand. Crystallographic characterization of its adduct with tetrahydrofuran has been achieved and reveals significant localization in the six-membered ring. Complexation of more potent ligands such as carbon monoxide and diphenylacetylene are effective in promoting haptotropic rearrangement of the eta6 indenyl ligand and provides familiar bent zirconocene derivatives.

Mass spectrometric analysis of the N terminus of translational initiation factor eIF4G-1 reveals novel isoforms.

In eukaryotes, translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) acts as the central binding protein for an unusually large number of proteins involved in mRNA metabolism. Several gene products homologous to eIF4G have been described, the most studied being eIF4G-1. By its association with other initiation factors, eIF4G-1 effects mRNA cap and poly(A) recognition, unwinding of secondary structure, and binding to the 43S initiation complex.