Calibrating Reaction Enthalpies: Use of Density Functional Theory and the Correlation Consistent Composite Approach in the Design of Photochromic Materials.

Acquisition of highly accurate energetic data for chromium-containing molecules and various chromium carbonyl complexes is a major step toward calibrating bond energies and thermal isomerization energies from mechanisms for Cr-centered photochromic materials being developed in our laboratories. The performance of six density functionals in conjunction with seven basis sets, utilizing Gaussian-type orbitals, has been evaluated for the calculation of gas-phase enthalpies of formation and enthalpies of reaction at 298.15 K on various chromium-containing systems.

Linkage Isomerization via Geminate Cage or Bimolecular Mechanisms: Time-Resolved Investigations of an Organometallic Photochrome.

The extent of the photoinitiated linkage isomerization of dicarbonyl(3-cyanomethylpyridine-κN)(η(5)-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (4) to dicarbonyl(3-cyano-κN-methylpyridine)(η(5)-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (5) was examined by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy on picosecond to microsecond time scales in room temperature isooctane to determine the extent the isomerization occurs as a geminate cage rearrangement. We previously reported that a substantial part of the conversion between 4 and 5 must be a bimolecular reaction between a solvent coordinated dicarbonyl(η(5)-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (3) and uncoordinated 3-cyanomethylpyridine. For the purpose of designing a molecular device, it would be desirable for the photoisomerization to occur in a geminate cage reaction, because the faster the isomerization, the less opportunity for side reactions to occur.

Bond energies, reaction volumes, and kinetics for σ- and π-complexes of MoCO5L.

The photosubstitution reactions of molybdenum hexacarbonyl with σ and π donor ligands were investigated using photoacoustic calorimetry and computational methods in a series of linear alkane solvents (pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, and dodecane). The results show that reaction volumes make a significant contribution to the photoacoustic signal and must be considered during thermodynamic calculations based on photoacoustic measurements. The enthalpies of CO substitution by an alkane solvent and subsequent substitution by each Lewis base were determined.

Tricarbon-yl(2-methyl-2-η-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane)chromium(0).

The structure of the title compound, [Cr(C(10)H(12)O(2))(CO)(3)], is presented. The distorted piano-stool geometry features an off-center Cr(CO)(3) fragment which reduces contact with the dioxolane ring. The dioxolane ring, in twisted conformation, is syn-oriented towards the Cr(CO)(3) moiety.

Development of ultrafast photochromic organometallics and photoinduced linkage isomerization of arene chromium carbonyl derivatives.

We review recent studies of processes relevant to photoinduced linkage isomerization of organometallic systems with the goal of preparing organometallics with an efficient and ultrafast photochromic response. The organometallic system thus corresponds to two linkage isomers with different electronic environments that are responsible for different optical properties. Much of this work has focused on examining processes following irradiation of cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl derivatives (compounds 3-21) including solvent coordination, thermal relaxation, solvent displacement by tethered functional groups (chelation), dissociation of tethered functional groups, and linkage isomerization.

Solvent and structural effects on ultrafast chelation dynamics of arene chromium tricarbonyl sulfide derivatives.

The chelation dynamics of three new [Cr{eta6-C6H5C(O)R}(CO)3] complexes, 1 [R = CH2(SCH3)], 2 [R = CH(SCH3)2], and 3 [R = C(SCH3)3], has been investigated on the picosecond to millisecond time scales by UV pump/IR probe transient absorption spectroscopy following photodissociation of CO in room temperature n-heptane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and acetonitrile. In n-heptane, UV irradiation of 1, 2, or 3 dissociates CO to initially yield a Cr-S chelate (in which the pendant sulfide moiety is coordinated to the metal center) and a transient Cr-heptane solvate in approximately 1:2, 1:2, and 2:1 ratios, respectively. The Cr-heptane solvate is unstable and converts to the Cr-S chelate within 30 ns in each case.

Time-resolved infrared absorption study of cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl derivatives: Chelation of pendant sulfides in acetonitrile.

The chelation dynamics of [Mn{eta5-C5H4C(O)R}(CO)3] complexes 1 (R = CH2(SCH3)), 2 (R = CH(SCH3)2), and 3 (R = C(SCH3)3) in room-temperature acetonitrile solution have been investigated on the picosecond time scale by UV-pump IR-probe transient absorption spectroscopy. Similar to the previously observed behavior in n-heptane solution, irradiation of 3 in acetonitrile at 289 nm induces CO loss to exclusively yield a Mn-S chelated dicarbonyl product. Unlike the behavior of 1 and 2 in n-hexane and n-heptane solutions, UV excitation of either 1 or 2 in acetonitrile solution induces CO loss to also exclusively yield the chelated products, with no evidence of a competing solvation pathway.

Properties and reactivity of chlorovinylcobalamin and vinylcobalamin and their implications for vitamin B12-catalyzed reductive dechlorination of chlorinated alkenes.

Vitamin B12-catalyzed reductive dechlorination of perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) is a potential strategy for cleanup of polluted environments. Presented are crystal structures of vinylcobalamin 2 and cis-chlorovinylcobalamin 1. They show a strong resistance toward photolysis.

Volume of reaction, energetics, and kinetics of tetrahydrothiophene displacement of solvent from Mo(CO)5(alkane).

Laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy (LIOAS) was used to determine the enthalpies and volumes of reactions for each step in ligand substitution of molybdenum hexacarbonyl with tetrahydrothiophene (THT). The enthalpy for substitution of CO on Mo(CO)6 by an alkane and of coordinated alkane on Mo(CO)5(alkane) by THT are 114 and -99 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Likewise, the volumes of reaction are 13 and -16 ml mol(-1).