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Clémence Corminboeuf

Publications and source records attributed to Clémence Corminboeuf.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Aromaticity of tri- and tetranuclear metal-carbonyl clusters based on magnetic criteria.

Recently, the sigma-aromaticity model proposed for cyclopropane by Dewar was employed to account for the stability of Group 8 trinuclear metal-carbonyl compounds [M(3)(CO)(12)] (M=Fe, Ru, Os). This paper further examines this hypothesis and provides the first quantitative evidence for the sigma-aromatic/antiaromatic nature of the [M(3)(CO)(12)]/[M(4)(CO)(16)] species based on structural and nucleus-independent chemical-shift analysis. In addition, the extent of electron delocalization in tetrahedral [M(4)(CO)(14)] and butterfly [M(4)(CO)(15)] is analyzed and compared to prototype cycloalkanes. While remarkable analogies exist between metal-carbonyls and cycloalkanes, transition metals provide additional overlap possibilities that affect both the ring strain and the magnetic properties of metal-carbonyl rings and cages.

Carbon Monoxide↗

Planar tetracoordinate carbon atoms centered in bare four-membered rings of late transition metals.

Planar tetracoordinate carbons (ptC's) can be stabilized by four-membered ring perimeters composed of four bare transition metal atoms. DFT analyses of the molecular orbitals, electronic structures, energies, and magnetic properties of these CM4 species (where M represents isoelectronic combinations of Cu, Ni, Ag, and Pd) reveal striking similarities with main group metal ptC analogues (e.g., CAl2Si2, CAl4Na-, and C5Li2). While the CCu4(2+), CAg4(2+), and CNiCu3+ ions have the largest HOMO-LUMO separations, CCu4(2+) is the best candidate for detection by gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy.

Journal Article↗

Systematic errors in computed alkane energies using B3LYP and other popular DFT functionals.

[structure: see text] Energies computed by B3LYP and other popular DFT functionals are flawed by systematic errors, which can become considerable for larger molecules. These errors, predominately due to inadequacies in assessing longer-range nonbonded attractive effects (dispersion), are illustrated by the isodesmic stabilization energies of n-alkanes (based on methane and ethane, which have no stabilizing 1,3-alkyl group interactions). Newer functionals, designed to describe weak interactions, give somewhat better agreement with experiment, but are not fully satisfactory.

Journal Article↗

Phosphoramidite ligands in iridium-catalyzed allylic substitution.

A new phosphoramidite ligand was used in the iridium-catalyzed allylic substitution reaction. This permitted high regio- and enantioselectivities on a wide variety of substrates and nucleophiles. Because of the stereospecificity of the reaction obtained by using branched substrates, a kinetic resolution reaction was attempted. The origin of the impressive efficiency of this ligand in terms of kinetics was explored in detail, as was the role of the substituent in the ortho-position of the amine moiety.

Journal Article↗

Unexpected deacetylation mechanism suggested by a density functional theory QM/MM study of histone-deacetylase-like protein.

To characterize the catalytic mechanism for zinc-dependent histone deacetylases (HDAC), we have carried out density functional theory QM/MM studies on the deacetylation reaction catalyzed by a histone-deacetylase-like protein (HDLP). The calculation results do not support the previous mechanistic hypothesis, but suggest a lower protonation state for the active site as well as a 4-fold zinc coordination during the reaction process. To characterize such mechanistic difference is not only significant for our fundamental understanding of its inner workings but also crucial for the design of HDAC inhibitors.

Acetylation↗

Which NICS aromaticity index for planar pi rings is best?

Five increasingly sophisticated aromaticity indexes, based on nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS), were evaluated against a uniform set of aromatic stabilization energies (ASE) for 75 mono- and polyheterocyclic five-membered rings. While acceptable statistical correlations were given by all of the NICS methods, the most fundamentally grounded index, NICS(0)pizz (based on the pi contribution to the out-of-plane zz tensor component), performed best statistically (cc=0.980) and in practice. The easily computable NICS(1)zz index is a useful alternative (cc=0.968).

Journal Article↗

Octahedral and tetrahedral coinage metal clusters: is three-dimensional d-orbital aromaticity viable?

The first quantitative evidence for the viability of three-dimensional aromatic clusters involving d-orbitals in pseudo-octahedral coinage metal cages M(6)Li(2) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) as well as in tetrahedral coinage metal cages M'(4)Li(4) (M' = Cu, Ag) was obtained computationally. These cages exhibit many features similar to those of their square planar M(4)Li(2) analogues. The large negative nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) at the cage centers indicate three-dimensional delocalization. This diatropic character arises mostly from d-orbital delocalization combined with substantial contributions from the lowest-valence orbitals. The bonding molecular orbitals of the pseudo-octahedral clusters M(6)Li(2) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) are analogous to those in similar octahedral clusters involving p-orbital delocalization (e.g., B(6)H(6)(2-)). The M'(4)Li(4) clusters exhibit two isomeric forms: metal tetrahedral cages tetracapped by lithium cations on the outside [(M'(4)).4Li] and lithium tetrahedra on the inside capped by coinage metal atoms on each of the four faces [(Li(4)).4M]. Whereas the (M'(4)).4Li type structure is preferred for copper, gold and silver favor the (Li(4)).4M arrangement. NBO-NICS analysis shows that the large diatropic character in (M'(4)).4Li structures is due to the favorable contribution from both s- and d-orbitals, whereas the small NICS values in the center of (Li(4)).4M are due only to the diatropic contributions from the s-orbitals.

Journal Article↗

Evidence for d orbital aromaticity in square planar coinage metal clusters.

Quantitative evidence for the existence of aromaticity involving the d orbitals of transition metals is provided for the first time. The doubly bridged square planar (D(4)(h)()) coinage metal clusters (M(4)Li(2), M = Cu (1), Ag (2), and Au (3)) are characterized as aromatic by their substantial nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) values in the centers (-14.5, -14.1, and -18.6, respectively). Nevertheless, the participation of p orbitals in the bonding (and cyclic electron delocalization) of 1-3 is negligible. Instead, these clusters benefit strongly from the delocalization of d and to some extent s orbitals. The same conclusion applies to Tsipis and Tsipis' H-bridged D(4)(h)() Cu(4)H(4) ring (4). Canonical MO-NICS analysis of structures 1-3 shows the total diatropic d orbital contributions to the total NICS to be substantial, although the individual contributions of the five sets of filled d orbitals vary. The d orbital aromaticity of Cu(4)Li(2) also is indicated by its atomization energy, 243.2 kcal/mol, which is larger than Boldyrev's doubly (sigma and pi) aromatic Al(4)Li(2) (215.9 kcal/mol).

Journal Article↗

The proton nuclear magnetic shielding tensors in biphenyl: experiment and theory.

Line-narrowing multiple pulse techniques are applied to a spherical sample crystal of biphenyl. The 10 different proton shielding tensors in this compound are determined. The accuracy level for the tensor components is 0.3 ppm. The assignment of the measured tensors to the corresponding proton sites is given careful attention. Intermolecular shielding contributions are calculated by the induced magnetic point dipole model with empirical atom and bond susceptibilities (distant neighbours) and by a new quantum chemical method (near neighbours). Subtracting the intermolecular contributions from the (correctly assigned) measured shielding tensors leads to isolated-molecule shielding tensors for which there are symmetry relations. Compliance to these relations is the criterion for the correct assignment. The success of this program indicates that intermolecular proton shielding contributions can be calculated to better than 0.5 ppm. The isolated-molecule shielding tensors obtained from experiment and calculated intermolecular contributions are compared with isolated-molecule quantum chemical results. Expressed in the icosahedral tensor representation, the rms differences of the respective tensor components are below 0.5 ppm for all proton sites in biphenyl. In the isolated molecule, the least shielded direction of all protons is the perpendicular to the molecular plane. For the para proton, the intermediate principal direction is along the C-H bond. It is argued that these relations also hold for the protons in the isolated benzene molecule.

Algorithms↗

Downfield proton chemical shifts are not reliable aromaticity indicators.

[structure: see text] The downfield chemical shifts of arene hydrogens (delta (1)H) are due only in part to the pi ring current contribution [sigma(//)(pi)]; local framework effects are equally important. Neither proton chemical shifts nor even sigma(||)(pi) tensor elements, per se, are reliable aromaticity indicators. Unsaturated polycyclic hydrocarbons with nonaromatic quinoid structures have delta (1)H and sigma(//)(pi) values in the "aromatic range". Conversely, numerous aromatic protons, including those in five-membered ring heterocycles, resonate in the "nonaromatic range".

Journal Article↗

[CpRu((R)-Binop-F)(H2O)][SbF6], a new fluxional chiral Lewis acid catalyst: synthesis, dynamic nmr, asymmetric catalysis, and theoretical studies.

The C(2)-symmetric electron-poor ligand (R)-BINOP-F (4) was prepared by reaction of (R)-BINOL with bis(pentafluorophenyl)-phosphorus bromide in the presence of triethylamine. The iodo complex [CpRu((R)-BINOP-F)(I)] ((R)-6) was obtained by substitution of two carbonyl ligands by (R)-4 in the in situ-prepared [CpRu(CO)(2)H] complex followed by reaction with iodoform. Complex 6 was reacted with [Ag(SbF(6))] in acetone to yield [CpRu((R)-BINOP-F)(acetone)][SbF(6)] ((R)-7). X-ray structures were obtained for both (R)-6 and (R)-7. The chiral one-point binding Lewis acid [CpRu((R)-BINOP-F)][SbF(6)] derived from either (R)-7 or the corresponding aquo complex (R)-8 activates methacrolein and catalyzes the Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene to give the [4 + 2] cycloadduct with an exo/endo ratio of 99:1 and an ee of 92% of the exo product. Addition occurs predominantly to the methacrolein C(alpha)-Re face. In solution, water in (R)-8 exchanges readily. Moreover, a second exchange process renders the diastereotopic BINOP-F phosphorus atoms equivalent. These processes were studied by the application of variable-temperature (1)H, (31)P, and (17)O NMR spectroscopy, variable-pressure (31)P and(17)O NMR spectroscopy, and, using a simpler model complex, density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results point to a dissociative mechanism of the aquo ligand and a pendular motion of the BINOP-F ligand. NMR experiments show an energy barrier of 50.7 kJ mol(-1) (12.2 kcal mol(-1)) for the inversion of the pseudo-chirality at the ruthenium center.

Journal Article↗

Antiaromaticity in bare deltahedral silicon clusters satisfying Wade's and Hirsch's rules: an apparent correlation of antiaromaticity with high symmetry.

Entirely unlike the aromatic closo BnHn2- borane dianions, isoelectronic Si62- and Si122- are antiaromatic. Their Oh and Ih symmetries are responsible, as the other deltahedral silicon dianion clusters do not exhibit this behavior. These high symmetries prevent mixing among the degenerate lone pair and skeletal orbitals, leading to paratropic behavior.

Journal Article↗

Do all-metal antiaromatic clusters exist?

As shown by detailed nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) analyses of the contributions of each molecular orbital, the very recently reported gas-phase all-metal Al4Li3- anion and its relatives (Kuznetsov, A.E.; Birch, K.A.; Boldyrev, A.I.; Li, X.; Zhai, A.I.; Wang, L.S. Science 2003, 300, 622) are aromatic rather than antiaromatic. The paratropic (antiaromatic) four-pi-electron contribution is overcome by the predominating diatropic effects of sigma aromaticity. However, true antiaromatic all-metal clusters, such as Sn62- (Schiemenz, B.; Huttner, G. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1993, 32, 297), do exist.

Journal Article↗

The change of aromaticity along a Diels-Alder reaction path.

[reaction: see text] Quinodimethanes are highly reactive toward dienophiles since Diels-Alder cycloaddition results in an aromatic product. Density functional-based (13)C, (1)H NMR, NICS, and MO-NICS calculations indicate that the increase of aromatic character of the developing benzenoid ring along the reaction path is especially pronounced after the transition state is reached, even though the number of pi orbitals decreases. The forming aliphatic ring exhibits large ring current effects during the reaction.

Journal Article↗