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James M Mayer

Publications and source records attributed to James M Mayer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Concerted proton-electron transfer in the oxidation of hydrogen-bonded phenols.

Three phenols with pendant, hydrogen-bonded bases (HOAr-B) have been oxidized in MeCN with various one-electron oxidants. The bases are a primary amine (-CPh(2)NH(2)), an imidazole, and a pyridine. The product of chemical and quasi-reversible electrochemical oxidations in each case is the phenoxyl radical in which the phenolic proton has transferred to the base, (*)OAr-BH(+), a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process. The redox potentials for these oxidations are lower than for other phenols, predominately from the driving force for proton movement. One-electron oxidation of the phenols occurs by a concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) mechanism, based on thermochemical arguments, isotope effects, and DeltaDeltaG(++)/DeltaDeltaG degrees . The data rule out stepwise paths involving initial electron transfer to form the phenol radical cations [(*)(+)HOAr-B] or initial proton transfer to give the zwitterions [(-)OAr-BH(+)]. The rate constant for heterogeneous electron transfer from HOAr-NH(2) to a platinum electrode has been derived from electrochemical measurements. For oxidations of HOAr-NH(2), the dependence of the solution rate constants on driving force, on temperature, and on the nature of the oxidant, and the correspondence between the homogeneous and heterogeneous rate constants, are all consistent with the application of adiabatic Marcus theory. The CPET reorganization energies, lambda = 23-56 kcal mol(-)(1), are large in comparison with those for electron transfer reactions of aromatic compounds. The reactions are not highly non-adiabatic, based on minimum values of H(rp) derived from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. These are among the first detailed analyses of CPET reactions where the proton and electron move to different sites.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Models for proton-coupled electron transfer in photosystem II.

The coupling of proton and electron transfers is a key part of the chemistry of photosynthesis. The oxidative side of photosystem II (PS II) in particular seems to involve a number of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) steps in the S-state transitions. This mini-review presents an overview of recent studies of PCET model systems in the authors' laboratory. PCET is defined as a chemical reaction involving concerted transfer of one electron and one proton. These are thus distinguished from stepwise pathways involving initial electron transfer (ET) or initial proton transfer (PT). Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions are one class of PCET, in which H(+) and e (-) are transferred from one reagent to another: AH + B --> A + BH, roughly along the same path. Rate constants for many HAT reactions are found to be well predicted by the thermochemistry of hydrogen transfer and by Marcus Theory. This includes organic HAT reactions and reactions of iron-tris(alpha-diimine) and manganese-(mu-oxo) complexes. In PS II, HAT has been proposed as the mechanism by which the tyrosine Z radical (Y(Z)*) oxidizes the manganese cluster (the oxygen evolving complex, OEC). Another class of PCET reactions involves transfer of H(+) and e (-) in different directions, for instance when the proton and electron acceptors are different reagents, as in AH-B + C(+) --> A-HB(+) + C. The oxidation of Y(Z) by the chlorophyll P680 + has been suggested to occur by this mechanism. Models for this process - the oxidation of phenols with a pendent base - are described. The oxidation of the OEC by Y(Z)* could also occur by this second class of PCET reactions, involving an Mn-O-H fragment of the OEC. Initial attempts to model such a process using ruthenium-aquo complexes are described.

Electron Transport↗

Structure and reactivity of a pyridine-1-imido-2-thiolato complex of iridium(III), CpIr(1-N-2-Spy), generated by photolysis of the (azido)(pyridine-2-thiolato) complex, CpIr(2-Spy)(N3).

Photolysis of the (azido)(pyridine-2-thiolato)iridium(III) complex CpIr(2-Spy)(N3) (1) gave a pyridine-1-imido-2-thiolato complex, CpIr(1-N-2-Spy) (2), in which one of the nitrogen atoms of the azide ligand has been inserted into the Ir-N(py) bond (Cp = eta5-C5Me5). Complex 2 reacted quantitatively with methyl iodide to give the N-methylated product, [CpIr(1-NMe-2-Spy)]I (3). X-ray crystallography revealed that both 2 and 3 have similar two-legged piano stool structures with planar 1-N-2-Spy2- or 1-NMe-2-Spy- ligands, which form iridacyclopentadienyl-like rings by moderate S(ppi)/N(ppi) to Ir(dpi) pi donation.

Journal Article↗

Factors controlling the barriers to degenerate hydrogen atom transfers.

High-level electronic structure calculations have been used to study the factors contributing to the barriers to degenerate hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) reactions. Understanding of these reactions is a prerequisite to the development of any more general theory of HAT reactions, and yet, the existing models for such reactions perform quite poorly when applied to even simple self-exchanges. The reasons behind these failures are elucidated in the present work. They include a near cancellation of bond-strength effects between reactant and transition state, as well as a strong dependence of the geometry of the transition state on the nature of the heavy atoms.

Ammonia↗

Oxidations of NADH analogues by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ occur by hydrogen-atom transfer rather than by hydride transfer.

Oxidations of the NADH analogues 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH2) and N-benzyl 1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ (RuIVO2+) have been studied to probe the preferences for hydrogen-atom transfer vs hydride transfer mechanisms for the C-H bond oxidation. 1H NMR spectra of completed reactions of AcrH2 and RuIVO2+, after more than approximately 20 min, reveal the predominant products to be 10-methylacridone (AcrO) and cis-[RuII(bpy)2(py)(MeCN)]2+. Over the first few seconds of the reaction, however, as monitored by stopped-flow optical spectroscopy, the 10-methylacridinium cation (AcrH+) is observed. AcrH+ is the product of net hydride removal from AcrH2, but hydride transfer cannot be the dominant pathway because AcrH+ is formed in only 40-50% yield and its subsequent oxidation to AcrO is relatively slow. Kinetic studies show that the reaction is first order in both RuIVO2+ and AcrH2, with k = (5.7 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C, DeltaH(double dagger) = 5.3 +/- 0.3 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = -23 +/- 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1). A large kinetic isotope effect is observed, kAcrH2/kAcrD2 = 12 +/- 1. The kinetics of this reaction are significantly affected by O2. The rate constants for the oxidations of AcrH2 and BNAH correlate well with those for a series of hydrocarbon C-H bond oxidations by RuIVO2+. The data indicate a mechanism of initial hydrogen-atom abstraction. The acridinyl radical, AcrH*, then rapidly reacts by electron transfer (to give AcrH+) or by C-O bond formation (leading to AcrO). Thermochemical analyses show that H* and H- transfer from AcrH2 to RuIVO2+ are comparably exoergic: DeltaG degrees = -10 +/- 2 kcal mol(-1) (H*) and -6 +/- 5 kcal mol(-1) (H-). That a hydrogen-atom transfer is preferred kinetically suggests that this mechanism has an equal or lower intrinsic barrier than a hydride transfer pathway.

Acridines↗

Ligand-assisted reduction of osmium tetroxide with molecular hydrogen via a [3+2] mechanism.

Osmium tetroxide is reduced by molecular hydrogen in the presence of ligands in both polar and nonpolar solvents. In CHCl3 containing pyridine (py) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), OsO4 is reduced by H2 to the known Os(VI) dimers L2Os(O)2(mu-O)2Os(O)2L2 (L2 = py2, phen). However, in the absence of ligands in CHCl3 and other nonpolar solvents, OsO4 is unreactive toward H2 over a week at ambient temperatures. In basic aqueous media, H2 reduces OsO4(OH)n(n-) (n = 0, 1, 2) to the isolable Os(VI) complex, OsO2(OH)4(2-), at rates close to that found in py/CHCl3. Depending on the pH, the aqueous reactions are exergonic by deltaG = -20 to -27 kcal mol(-1), based on electrochemical data. The second-order rate constants for the aqueous reactions are larger as the number of coordinated hydroxide ligands increases, k(OsO4) = 1.6(2) x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) < k(OsO4(OH)-) = 3.8(4) x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) < k(OsO4(OH)2(2-)) = 3.8(4) x 10(-1) M(-1) s(-1). The observation of primary deuterium kinetic isotope effects, k(H2)/k(D2) = 3.1(3) for OsO4 and 3.6(4) for OsO4(OH)-, indicates that the rate-determining step in each case involves H-H bond cleavage. Density functional calculations and thermochemical arguments favor a concerted [3+2] addition of H2 across two oxo groups of OsO4(L)n and argue against H* or H- abstraction from H2 or [2+2] addition of H2 across one Os=O bond. The [3+2] mechanism is analogous to that of alkene addition to OsO4(L)n to form diolates, for which acceleration by added ligands has been extensively documented. The observation that ligands also accelerate H2 addition to OsO4(L)n highlights the analogy between these two reactions.

Journal Article↗

Alkane oxidation by osmium tetroxide.

Aqueous alkaline OsO4 at 85 degrees C oxidizes saturated alkanes, including primary, secondary, and tertiary C-H bonds. Isobutane affords tert-butanol in quantitative yield based on consumed OsO4. Cyclohexane is oxidized to a mixture of adipate and succinate. Ethane and propane are oxidized to acetate, which itself is further oxidized under the reaction conditions. A few turnovers of isobutane oxidation have been accomplished using NaIO4 as the terminal oxidant. The alkane oxidation is an example of ligand accelerated catalysis, as hydroxide binding to OsO4 is required for reaction. A concerted mechanism involving [3+2] addition of a C-H bond to two oxo groups of OsO4(OH)- is suggested, analogous to the pathways for dihydroxylation of alkenes by OsO4(L) and for addition of H2 to OsO4(L).

Alcohols↗

One-electron oxidation of a hydrogen-bonded phenol occurs by concerted proton-coupled electron transfer.

The hydrogen-bonded phenol 2-(aminodiphenylmethyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol (HOAr-NH2) was prepared and oxidized in MeCN by a series of one-electron oxidants. The product is the phenoxyl radical in which the phenolic proton has transferred to the amine, *OAr-NH3+. The reaction of HOAr-NH2 and tris(p-tolyl)aminium ([N(tol)3]*+) to give *OAr-NH3+ + N(tol)3 has Keq = 2.0 +/- 0.5, follows second-order kinetics with k = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 105 M-1 s-1 (DeltaG = 11 kcal mol-1), and has a primary isotope effect kH/kD = 2.4 +/- 0.4. Oxidation of HOAr-NH2 with [N(C6H4Br)3]*+ is faster, with k congruent with 4 x 107 M-1 s-1. The isotope effect, thermochemical arguments, and the dependence of the rate on driving force (DeltaDeltaG/DeltaDeltaG degrees = 0.53) all indicate that electron transfer from HOAr-NH2 must occur concerted with intramolecular proton transfer from the phenol to the amine (proton-coupled electron transfer, PCET). The data rule out stepwise paths that involve initial electron transfer to form the phenol radical cation *+HOAr-NH2 or that involve initial proton transfer to give the zwitterion -OAr-NH3+. The dependence of the electron-transfer rate constants on driving force can be fit with the adiabatic Marcus equation, yielding a large intrinsic barrier: lambda = 34 kcal mol-1 for reactions of HOAr-NH2 with NAr3*+.

Benzylamines↗

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution on aryl-amido ligands promoted by oxidizing osmium(IV) centers.

Addition of amine nucleophiles to acetonitrile solutions of the OsIV anilido complex TpOs(NHPh)Cl2 (1) [Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate] gives products with derivatized anilido ligands, i.e., TpOs[NH-p-C6H4(N(CH2)5)]Cl2 (2) from piperidine and TpOs[NH-p-C6H4N(CH2)4]Cl2 (3) from pyrrolidine. These materials are formed in approximately 30% yield under anaerobic conditions, together with approximately 60% yields of the OsIII aniline complex TpOs(NH2Ph)Cl2 (5). Formation of the para-substituted materials 2 or 3 from 1 involves oxidative removal of two hydrogen atoms (two H+ and two e-). The oxidation can be accomplished by 1, forming 5, or by O2. Related reactions have been observed with other amines and with the 2-naphthylamido derivative, which gives an ortho-substituted product. Kinetic studies indicate an addition-elimination mechanism involving initial attack of the amine nucleophile on the anilido ligand. These are unusual examples of nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen. Ab initio calculations on 1 show that the LUMO has significant density at the ortho and para positions of the anilido ligand, resembling the LUMO of nitrobenzene. By analogy with nucleophilic aromatic substitution, 2 is quantitatively formed from piperidine and the p-chloroanilide TpOs(NH-p-C6H4Cl)Cl2 (7). Binding the anilide ligands to an oxidizing OsIV center thus causes a remarkable umpolung or inversion of chemical character from a typically electron-rich anilido to an electron-deficient aromatic functionality. This occurs because of the coupling of redox changes at the TpOsIV center with bond formation at the coordinated ligand.

Journal Article↗

Hydrogen atom transfer from iron(II)-tris[2,2'-bi(tetrahydropyrimidine)] to TEMPO: a negative enthalpy of activation predicted by the Marcus equation.

The transfer of a hydrogen atom from iron(II)-tris[2,2'-bi(tetrahydropyrimidine)], [FeII(H2bip)3]2+, to the stable nitroxide, TEMPO, was studied by stopped-flow UV-vis spectrophotometry. The products are the deprotonated iron(III) complex [FeIII(H2bip)2(Hbip)]2+ and the hydroxylamine, TEMPO-H. This reaction can also be referred to as proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The equilibrium constant for the reaction is close to 1; thus, the reaction can be driven in either direction. The rate constants for the forward and reverse reactions at 298 K are k1 = 260 +/- 30 M-1 s-1 and k-1 = 150 +/- 20 M-1 s-1. Interestingly, the rate constant for the forward reaction decreases as reaction temperature is increased, implying a negative activation enthalpy: DeltaH1 = -2.7 +/- 0.4 kcal mol-1, DeltaS1 = -57 +/- 8 cal mol-1 K-1. Marcus theory predicts this unusual temperature dependence on the basis of independently measured self-exchange rate constants and equilibrium constants: DeltaHcalcd = -3.5 +/- 0.5 kcal mol-1, DeltaScalcd = -42 +/- 10 cal mol-1 K-1. This result illustrates the value of the Marcus approach for these types of reactions. The dominant contributor to the negative activation enthalpy is the favorable enthalpy of reaction, DeltaH1 degrees = -9.4 +/- 0.6 kcal mol-1, rather than the small negative activation enthalpy for the H-atom self-exchange between the iron complexes.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Thermodynamics and kinetics of proton-coupled electron transfer: stepwise vs. concerted pathways.

Reactions that involve transfer of an electron and a proton can proceed by stepwise pathways involving initial electron transfer (ET) or initial proton transfer (PT), or by a concerted pathway without an intermediate. The concerted mechanism is termed proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Understanding such reactions requires knowledge of the thermodynamics of the possible ET, PT, and PCET steps. Many reactions have a large thermochemical bias favoring the PCET pathway. This bias is often sufficient to rule out stepwise mechanisms. The DeltaG degrees for ET, PT, or PCET has a strong influence on the rate of that step. Using the terminology of Marcus theory, PT and PCET reactions at C-H bonds have higher intrinsic barriers than such reactions at O-H or N-?H bonds. The intrinsic barriers to ET and PCET are often similar when there is a small intrinsic barrier to PT. Reactions with a thermochemical bias toward PCET and with similar intrinsic barriers for all the pathways are most likely to occur by concerted PCET.

Electron Transport↗

Cumene oxidation by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+, revisited.

cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ oxidizes cumene (2-phenylpropane) in acetonitrile solution primarily to cumyl alcohol (2-phenyl-2-propanol), alpha-methylstyrene, and acetophenone. Contrary to a prior report, the rate of the reaction is not accelerated by added nucleophiles. There is thus no evidence for the hydride transfer mechanism originally proposed. Instead, the results are consistent with a mechanism of initial hydrogen atom transfer from cumene to the ruthenium oxo group. This is indicated by the correlation of rate with C-H bond strength and by the various products observed. The formation of acetophenone, with one carbon less than cumene, is suggested to occur via a multistep pathway involving decarbonylation of the acyl radical from 2-phenylpropanal. An alternative mechanism involving beta-scission of cumyloxyl radical is deemed unlikely because of the difficulty of generating alkoxyl radicals under anaerobic conditions and the lack of rearranged products in the oxidation of triphenylmethane by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+.

Acetophenones↗

Proton-coupled electron transfer: a reaction chemist's view.

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions involve the concerted transfer of an electron and a proton. Such reactions play an important role in many areas of chemistry and biology. Concerted PCET is thermochemically more favorable than the first step in competing consecutive processes involving stepwise electron transfer (ET) and proton transfer (PT), often by >=1 eV. PCET reactions of the form X-H + Y X + H-Y can be termed hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Another PCET class involves outersphere electron transfer concerted with deprotonation by another reagent, Y+ + XH-B Y + X-HB+. Many PCET/HAT rate constants are predicted well by the Marcus cross relation. The cross-relation calculation uses rate constants for self-exchange reactions to provide information on intrinsic barriers. Intrinsic barriers for PCET can be comparable to or larger than those for ET. These properties are discussed in light of recent theoretical treatments of PCET.

Electron Transport↗

Slow hydrogen atom self-exchange between Os(IV) anilide and Os(III) aniline complexes: relationships with electron and proton transfer self-exchange.

Hydrogen atom, proton and electron transfer self-exchange and cross-reaction rates have been determined for reactions of Os(IV) and Os(III) aniline and anilide complexes. Addition of an H-atom to the Os(IV) anilide TpOs(NHPh)Cl(2) (Os(IV)NHPh) gives the Os(III) aniline complex TpOs(NH(2)Ph)Cl(2) (Os(III)NH(2)Ph) with a new 66 kcal mol(-1) N-H bond. Concerted transfer of H* between Os(IV)NHPh and Os(III)NH(2)Ph is remarkably slow in MeCN-d(3), with k(ex)(H*) = (3 +/- 2) x 10(-3) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K. This hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction could also be termed proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Related to this HAT process are two proton transfer (PT) and two electron transfer (ET) self-exchange reactions, for instance, the ET reactions Os(IV)NHPh + Os(III)NHPh(-) and Os(IV)NH(2)Ph(+) + Os(III)NH(2)Ph. All four of these PT and ET reactions are much faster (k = 10(3)-10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) than HAT self-exchange. This is the first system where all five relevant self-exchange rates related to an HAT or PCET reaction have been measured. The slowness of concerted transfer of H* between Os(IV)NHPh and Os(III)NH(2)Ph is suggested to result not from a large intrinsic barrier but rather from a large work term for formation of the precursor complex to H* transfer and/or from significantly nonadiabatic reaction dynamics. The energetics for precursor complex formation is related to the strength of the hydrogen bond between reactants. To probe this effect further, HAT cross-reactions have been performed with sterically hindered aniline/anilide complexes and nitroxyl radical species. Positioning steric bulk near the active site retards both H* and H(+) transfer. Net H* transfer is catalyzed by trace acids and bases in both self-exchange and cross reactions, by stepwise mechanisms utilizing the fast ET and PT reactions.

Aniline Compounds↗

Nitrogen atom insertion into Ir-S and C-S bonds initiated by photolysis of iridium(III)-azido-dithiocarbamato complexes.

Photolysis of acetonitrile solutions of Cp*Ir(R2dtc)(N3) [Cp* = eta5-C5Me5, R2dtc = S2CNR2; R = Me (1) or Et (1')] at temperatures below 0 degrees C afford five-coordinate complexes Cp*Ir{NSC(NR2)S} (2 or 2'), where a nitrogen atom has been inserted into one of the Ir-S bonds. In solution, complex 2 thermally convert to the azaethene-1,2-dithiolate complex, Cp*Ir[SN=C(NMe2)S] (3), which could be crystallized as the corresponding dimer, {Cp*Ir[mu-SN=C(NMe2)S-kappa3S:S,S']}2 (4). As a result, a nitrogen atom that originated in the azide ligand is transferred into a C-S bond of the dithiocarbamate.

Journal Article↗

Oxidation of C-H bonds by [(bpy)2(py)RuIVO]2+ occurs by hydrogen atom abstraction.

Anaerobic oxidations of 9,10-dihydroanthracene (DHA), xanthene, and fluorene by [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+) in acetonitrile solution give mixtures of products including oxygenated and non-oxygenated compounds. The products include those formed by organic radical dimerization, such as 9,9'-bixanthene, as well as by oxygen-atom transfer (e.g., xanthone). The kinetics of these reactions have been measured. The kinetic isotope effect for oxidation of DHA vs DHA-d(4) gives k(H)/k(D) > or = 35 +/- 1. The data indicate a mechanism of initial hydrogen-atom abstraction forming radicals that dimerize, disproportionate and are trapped by the oxidant. This mechanism also appears to apply to the oxidations of toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, indene, and cyclohexene. The rate constants for H-atom abstraction from these substrates correlate well with the strength of the C-H bond that is cleaved. Rate constants for abstraction from DHA and toluene also correlate with those for oxygen radicals and other oxidants. The rate constant for H-atom transfer from toluene to [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+) appears to be close to that predicted by the Marcus cross relation, using a tentative rate constant for hydrogen atom self-exchange between [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(III)OH](2+) and [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+).

Anthracenes↗